TJMAG APRIL 2014

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YOU CAN QUIT. WE CAN HELP.

Hard to believe you're a nicotine addict?

Myths and Truths

Believe it. Nicotine, found in all tobacco products, is a highly addictive drug that acts in the brain and throughout the body. Dip and chew contain more nicotine than cigarettes. Some facts: Holding an average-size dip in your mouth for 30 minutes gives you as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes. A 2-can-a-week snuff dipper gets as much nicotine as a 1-1/2 pack-a-day smoker does. Check how many of the following apply to you.

How addicted are you? [ ] I no longer get sick or dizzy when I dip or

chew, like I did when I first started. [ ] I dip more often and in different settings. [ ] I've switched to stronger products, with

more nicotine. [ ] I swallow juice from my tobacco on a

regular basis. [ ] I sometimes sleep with dip or chew in my

mouth. [ ] I take my first dip or chew first thing in the

morning. [ ] I find it hard to go more than a few hours

without dip or chew. [ ] I have strong cravings when I go without

dip or chew.

The more items you check, the more likely that you are addicted.

Kicking the dip or chew habit can be tough, but it can be done, and you can do it!

There are several myths about smokeless tobacco. Sometimes these myths make users feel more comfortable in their habits.

Below are some myths and the truths that relate to them.

Myth: Smokeless tobacco is a harmless alternative to smoking.

Truth: Smokeless tobacco is still tobacco. In tobacco are nitrosamines, cancer-causing chemicals from the curing process. Note the warnings on the cans.

Myth: Dip (or chew) improves my athletic performance.

Truth: A study of professional baseball players found no connection between smokeless tobacco use and player performance. Using smokeless tobacco increases your heart rate and blood pressure within a few minutes.

This can cause a buzz or rush, but the rise in pulse and blood pressure places an extra stress on your heart.

Myth: Good gum care can offset the harmful effects of using dip or chew.

Truth: There is no evidence that brushing and flossing will undo the harm that dip and chew are doing to your teeth and gums.

Myth: It's easy to quit using dip or chew when you want to.

Truth: Unfortunately, nicotine addiction makes quitting difficult. But those who have quit successfully are very glad they did.

109 Temple Blvd. • Luf kin, TX 75901 Mon – Fri: 8 am – 5 pm • Closed Sat & Sun O: (936) 634-9308 • F: (936) 639-3521

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his week, I heard someone say that they attended the rodeo for the first time last year. I was amazed! I thought if you live in East Texas, you attend your local rodeo annually! Who doesn’t look forward to the rodeo every year? Many of you may not know that I am a long standing rodeo girl! I may have had to borrow a pair of boots or buy a new pair or Rockies, but growing up, we went to the local rodeo year after year. So, when I met my “rodeoing” cowboy we immediately had something in common. He may have had to explain exactly what “ropin’’” was and how it worked and who did what, but I knew what a rodeo was. See, growing up in Austin, Texas, everyone looks forward to the local rodeo, but I had no idea people actually went to them to watch the rodeo events. In Austin, you bought tickets to the rodeo based on who was the entertainment that night.

Of course, when I moved to Lufkin and actually watched a full rodeo from beginning to end, I realized what I missed out on all those years.

More importantly than the entertainment, the cowboys, or the events, are all the people behind the scenes. Growing up, I would always show up, enjoy the show, and then leave. Now, after all these years and living in Lufkin, I can fully appreciate everything that goes on for so many to show up and enjoy. The group of men that make up the Lufkin Hosts Lions Club are the reason so many East Texans have great family memories. It takes a lot of work prepping and planning for this show to go on. In true East Texas fashion, we are blessed by another volunteer organization who gives back to their community.

For all of you who may not have ever been to the rodeo or do not make it every year, put it on your calendar, because it is a fun time for the whole family! My kids love it so much that when my oldest was teeny tiny, he would call the Expo center the “Rodeo City.” I love it so much that we still call it that to this day. Anytime we talk about the Rodeo City, it makes our hearts smile.

Dust off your boots, and I will see you at the Rodeo!

STEPHANIE OLIVER

PRESIDENT

On the Cover:

kallie wisener cover photo by Lasting Memories Photography by Tonya Neuman

15 YOUR HOME 16 18 22 24

Home Tour: Pin This Design Tips: Home Basics In the Kitchen: A Taste of Belgium Burlap & Besties: Recycling Wood Scraps

27 YOUR COMMUNITY 28 32 34 36 38 40

Mission Statement: Belgium Texas Coffee House In the News Giving Back: The Rainbow Room Healthcare: Specialized Care, Close to Home Rodeo Queen: Kallie Wisener Inspiring Young Women

CONTACT US: Mailing: PO Box 150537 Lufkin, Texas 75915 Physical: 115 E. Shepherd Lufkin, Texas 75901 936-634-7188 advertise@tjmag.com

43 YOUR LIFE 44 46 50 52

facebook.com/tjmag twitter.com/tjmeast

Something Abundant: A Woman Came Fashion: New Season, New Shoes Stretch Marks: The UA Sisterhood: Defeating Age

57 YOUR CHILD 58 62 64 66

Pretty Babies The Creative Mom: Plastic Mushroom Chairs You Are Invited: Graduation Party at the Barn Look at Me

69 EAST 72 74 78 82 84 86

East Texas Cowboy: Ty Kirkland Community Leader: Glen Arnold Giving Back: Concerned Black Men of Lufkin Music Scene: Sam Shupak Legacy: Danny Merrell Trophy Room: Trophy Hunts

president: Stephanie Oliver /// managing editor: Beth Johnson | editor@tjmag.com staff writer: Angie Nichols /// director of sales: Kim Iribarren | kim@tjmag.com layout and design: Macy Haffey /// event photographer: Lisa Crow | lisacrowphotography@gmail.com event photographer: Morgan Due | www.morgandue.com contributors: Melissa & Tiffani, Jessica Tinsley Bridges, Shanna Crew, Sabrina Lumpkin, Angie Nichols, Melissa Radke, Nicole Roberts distribution: Lisa Crow, Janet Glover, Jarod Thompson

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home 16 home tour 18 design tips 22 in the kitchen 24 burlap & besties

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HOME TOUR

Search

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he 3 bedroom, 2 bath home of Jeff and Tiffani Brantner is full of personal touches.

Tiffani and Jeff take great delight in the fact that most of the dĂŠcor in their home tells a story. Tiffani explains, "Most of the things I have used in all of my decorating projects are extremely cheap or as close to free as possible!" Her style is unique and can best be described as vintage, eclectic. While some of her ideas have come from popular decorating sites, many of them are original designs, as she works hard to intermingle pieces from the past with new and fresh techniques.

Front porch decor gives visitors a hint of what they'll find inside. #welcomemats #frontdoordecormatters

Gray distressed kitchen cabinets with turquoise barstools. #letseat! #niceopenkitchen #makingithomey

When jewelry is organized and out on display, it's easier to see what you have. Also, others enjoy looking at it, too! #jewelryisart

The baskets on the pegboard help organize clothes for the following day. #beprepared #teachkidsorganization

This table sits right outside the master bedroom and provides encouraging sentiments as you leave to start your day.

The table below the television was originally a brown buffet table. The shelves above the television were made from old fencing. #repurposingrocks #recycledfurniture

This inviting entryway features another table that has been painted and repurposed and provides a great place for treasured trinkets. #paintedfurniture #trinketsarefun

The doilie runner on the dining room table was hand stitched by TIfffani's nanny, Janet Caver. #familyheirlooms #vintagerevisitted

When decorating, don't forget the master bathroom. Large monograms provide that personal touch! #bathroomsmattertoo

With the floral bedding and wood bed, the master bedroom is a nice balance of masculine and feminine. #marsandvenus #marriageisbalance

by Sabrina Lumpkin, owner of Bellissima Home

Home Basics: When to Cave & When to Save DESIGN TIPS

"We should learn from the snail: It has devised a home that is both exquisite and functional." - Frank Lloyd Wright Let’s face it, we would all love to splurge on the most expensive, posh items for our home, but in all reality and practicality, it’s also smart to save where we can and leave a little more cash in the account for other life necessities.

When deciding which quality, key pieces to cave on and which pieces to save on, this advice normally holds true:

Splurge on your sofa. As the most used piece of furniture in your home, and often a large focal point in your living room, you will want to make this purchase a posh one! Also, remember your living circumstances in the present moment. For example, if you have small children, a white sofa may not be right for your home, no matter how charming it may look in the home magazines.

SPLURGE

!

Save on your coffee table. With so many options in recycled and found objects, a coffee table can be crafted out of stacked suitcases, wooden pallets, you name it. Have fun with this one! Be creative.

SAVE !

Splurge on your rug. As the basic centerpiece of a room, a high quality rug is a smart purchase that can last you for years. Scour the internet for price comparisons and you may score a fabulous rug at a huge discount.

Tip: Choose a rug in more neutral tones. This decision will offer more flexibility in making future color changes in your room.

Save on your dining table. The dining table is another area where saving can be savvy. With the current trend of chalk painting and refurbishing outdated or older pieces, the dining room table is a perfect place to give your creativity a go.

Splurge on your mattress and bed linens.

As we all know, a good night's rest is practically priceless. Don’t waste valuable sleep time tossing and turning on an unsupportive, flimsy mattress. This is an area where price comparison can save you a bundle. Most stores price match.

Use this leverage to your benefit to score a high quality mattress that could actually improve your quality of life. Look for luxurious sheets and bedding. Do your best to make your sleeping sanctuary as close as possible to those plush five star hotel beds with those linens we all crave.

Remember, it's okay to cave if you know where to save!

Sabrina Lumpkin is the creator and owner of Bellissima Home, www.bellissimahome.com, an online shopping experience offering hand selected, premium, designer inspired items for the home. Luxury you can afford!

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IN THE KITCHEN

written by Nicole Ro berts Read mo re about Nicole & he r family on p a g es 2 8 /29!

A TASTE OF BELGIUM Belgian Frites (French Fries the Belgian way)

Gaufres (Belgian Waffles)

Once you make these, you will never make them another way again.

The key is double cooking them in two different oils. It sounds like a lot of work, but I promise it's worth it.

This is the "real" reason I want to move back to Belgium. There are street vendors all over that sell these. They are the most heavenly thing you have ever eaten. This recipe doesn't quite do the real thing justice, but it's the best recipe I have found that gets close. You'll just have to visit Belgium yourself one day to taste the real thing. These are not a breakfast waffle. They are not meant to be eaten with butter and syrup.

• Peel and scrub potatoes really well • Cut them, lengthwise, into one inch fries • Rinse really well

Ingredients:

• Soak in salt water for a couple of hours to get as much starch out as possible

3 1/2 cups Flour

• Rinse really well

3/4 cup lukewarm milk

• Spread out on a towel to dry

2 sticks softened butter

• Once dry, place in hot grease (vegetable or canola oil is great) and fry for about 5 minutes (the key is not to cook them all the way here)

1/2 tsp salt

• Take out and let the fries dry and come back down to almost room temperature • Place the fries back in hot grease (this time in Peanut oil) and fry until they look good enough to eat • Take out and drain on butcher paper or paper towels, salt well These are great to make for company. Have everyone bring a condiment and make a french fry bar. Some options are cheese sauce, chili, The Best Fry Sauce Ever (Recipe Below), and of course, the inevitable ketchup. Experiment with your own sauces, too!

1 packet dry yeast

2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 8 oz. of Pearl Sugar (this is hard to find in stores, but can be ordered on Amazon.)

Directions for Dough: Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk. Gradually add all ingredients to the flour except the pearl sugar. Let dough rise until it doubles in size (approx. 30 minutes). Add pearl sugar. Divide dough into small patties about 3-4 oz. each. Place in a greased, hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown. The pearl sugar gets extremely hot, so use caution when removing and eating. The Pearl Sugar is the key ingredient here, so don't try to use granulated sugar.

These are amazing all on their own, but my family likes to add a little more goodness such as...

The Best Fry Sauce Ever

• Nutella

3/4 cup real mayonnaise

• Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream

1 TBL Dijon Mustard 1 TBL Whole Grain Mustard 2 TBL sour cream 1/8 tsp salt Whisk together all ingredients and serve with fries.

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• strawberries and bananas • powdered Sugar My ultimate favorite way to eat it is with strawberries, bananas, Blue Bell Vanilla ice cream, drizzled with a good chocolate sauce (a lot of it), toasted coconut, and whipped cream.

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BURLAP & BESTIES

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RECYCLING WOOD SCRAPS

e are the type of people that once we find something we love, we use it as MUCH as possible! If you come to our homes, you will notice that a few of our obsessions are moss, stumps, chalkboards and old white wood. Several of you have probably even received gifts from us that included one or more of these items!! And if you have ever been to a party that we decorated, then you have definitely seen us incorporate them! With that said, we are dedicating this article to our love of old white wood.

When Ben and I (Melissa) moved back from Africa, we had to furnish our new home on a pretty tight budget. We were expecting our first child and didn’t have extra cash lying around, so we decided to put our money into our living room furniture and scrimp on our bedroom furniture. But that didn’t mean I wanted it looking bare; I still needed a headboard! And a crate! And a window shelf! So we scavenged a few pieces of wood from a friend’s old fence that was torn down and that was that.

Window Shelf.

Supplies: Old window frame (we removed the glass from ours) • Spindles White wood • Paint • Water hose • Scrub brush • Bleach • Drill 1. Clean your old window and your old wood by spraying it with your water hose, then scrubbing it with bleach water and then rinsing it off with your hose again. Let it dry.

2. Cut your old wood the width of your window; our window was 44 inches wide. Our wood was 6 inches deep and was the perfect depth for a shelf. You can always cut your wood to whatever size works for you.

3. Put your wood on top of your window and screw it down to attach, repeat with the bottom shelf. Leave the wood loose until you attach your spindles to be able to level the shelves easier.

4. Measure the length of the window for your spindles (you can find these at various antique stores or at any hardware store); ours were 33 inches tall.

5. Now attach your spindles by screwing down from the top of your shelf into your spindle. Repeat on the bottom.

6. Once your spindles are attached, tighten the screws going through your shelf into your window.

7. This shelf is going to be pretty heavy, so make sure and find studs in your wall to drill into to hang it! We just drilled through the window frame directly into the wall.

Wood Crate.

This looks great on a surface or you can hang it!

Supplies: Wood of your choice • Wood glue • Nail Gun or Drill

1. Cut four pieces of wood 18 inches long and two pieces for the sides that are 14 inches long.

Place one 18 inch piece along the edge with the glue and then use your nail gun or drill to secure it together.

2. Glue two 18 inch pieces together along one of the long edges. This is the back of your box (or bottom of the box for now).

4. Repeat step 3 on the bottom.

3. Put some wood glue along the top edge of the two pieces you just glued together.

5. Now glue your 14 inch pieces to the sides and secure with your nail gun or drill.

by Melissa & Tiffani

Party Tip. Think outside the box when throwing a dinner party, here Melissa used manicotti noodles as her napkin holders to tie in with her Italian themed menu.

Headboard.

Supplies: Some pieces of wood, or pallets will work too • Sturdy brush • Soap, bleach and water • Matte finish polyurethane • Screws • Level 1. Measure how high and wide you want your headboard to be. Your boards need to start a few inches below your mattress.

Mine starts 2 feet from the ground and goes up 43 inches. It is approximately 7.5 ft wide because we have a king size bed.

2. Find the wood or pallet boards you want to use. You could even use new wood and paint it and sand it to get the old look of the wood we used. Cut them down to size.

3. Start by cleaning the wood really well. After all, your head is going to be laying next to this stuff! Spray it with a water hose first, then scrub it with bleach and soap water, then rinse it with the hose again. Let this dry really well.

4. Once your wood is completely dry, apply several coats of your polyurethane (we did three). Let each coat fully dry. Flip Melissa is a housewife who loves her husband and son, Ben and Ty, more than anything else on earth. In a previous life, she was a CPA. Her passion for serving Jesus took her and Ben to Africa for two years where, among other things, she learned she can never pack too many crafting supplies. If you want to see a happy girl, give Melissa an old piece of furniture and a paintbrush then stand back and watch the magic happen.

the wood over and coat the other side several times as well. You don’t want any critters crawling out!

5. Lay out the clean wood into the pattern and size you want so you can move some pieces around to get the exact look you are going for. This step is especially helpful if you are using pallet boards or piecing your wood together.

6. Start by finding your studs and marking them with a pencil.

Affix the bottom board first using your level to be sure it’s straight. I didn’t mind the screws showing so we just drilled right through the board and into studs. I also wanted this to be sturdy so we used long screws.

7. Continue adding boards up the wall checking that each one is level as you go.

8. Wipe it all down, slide your bed back in place and enjoy your fab new headboard!

Tiffani Brantner is a part-time nurse and student, a constant crafter, party-thrower, "idea-comer-upper", and a richly rewarded wife and mother to Jeff and Cullen. Call her to come and get your old junk, she LOVES it! She'll turn it into something beautiful, create a theme, throw a party around it, and invite you as the guest of honor. You can reach Tiffani day or night at tifandmel@gmail.com.

PLACES & FACES

photographed by Lisa Crow

Downtown Date Night

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

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community 28 mission statement 32 in the news 34 giving back 36 healthcare 38 rodeo queen 40 inspiring young women

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MISSION STATEMENT

BELGIUM TEXAS COFFEE HOUSE where the community & church cross paths

D

arrell and Nicole Roberts married eleven years ago. The couple felt called to live an "unordinary" life of serving God and others.

"One of the first things we discovered about each other when we met was that we both felt called to overseas missions," says Nicole.

After continuing his education, Darrell promoted from a teacher, to a counselor, to a school administrator. Life brought children and the construction of a new home.

"We started to become more and more comfortable placing missions on the back burner, until God started stirring our hearts," shares Darrell.

"I’ve always been intrigued by an author’s ability to create and sustain suspense. The Bible describes Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith. There is nothing more suspense-f illed and exciting than surrendering to God as He writes on the pages of our lives." says Darrell.

"We decided to fast and pray to hear God's voice with clarity to determine if we were to go to Mons, Belgium and if this was the time. On the third day of the fast, I’m standing at the door as a greeter at our church when a guy walks in who just moved to Luf kin from French speaking Louisiana. We instantly connected. After conversing in French, I told him a little about our burden for Belgium. He exclaimed, 'This is crazy! There is a missionary family from our church in Louisiana who are missionaries in Belgium now.' We contacted this family and discovered that they had been praying for a young French speaking couple to come help in their growing ministry. Out of all the cities in Belgium, they needed us in the city of Mons!"

So, what's next for the Roberts? A move to Belgium.

One might wonder why an east Texas couple would move their lives and two sons, age ten and seven, to begin a new chapter in Belgium. Darrell says this stor y began when he visited Europe at the age of 17, which lead to his return on numerous occasions.

"A fter completing my f irst degree, I returned to Europe and stayed in the city of Mons, Belgium. It was there that I discovered and was drawn to a cold, empt y 500 year old church where I found myself praying alone to God each day. God birthed in me a beautiful, indescribable burden for this city and the countr y of Belgium."

So what will the Roberts do in Belgium? It's not what you might envision for a full time foreign missionary family. Darrel says during his prayer time, he was reminded of a story about his grandfather's time in France during WWII. "The story that came to my remembrance was about my grandfather coming faceto-face with a young German soldier in the middle of the woods. For whatever reason, they lowered their rif les, shared a cup of coffee, and then parted ways.

God opened my eyes, and I saw the life-changing power of a simple cup of coffee in a whole new light. A simple cup of coffee brought together two soldiers in the middle of the woods over 70 years ago. We are returning to Mons, Belgium to start the Texas Coffee House--to not only share the life-changing power of a cup of coffee, but the life-changing power of God’s love."

The Roberts will open a coffee shop called Texas Coffee House, serving handcrafted coffee and Texas specialty desserts. "Europeans love Texas and everything it represents. They watched shows like Bonanza and think we all have oil rigs in our back yards, ride horses every day, and wear cowboy boots and hats everywhere. They believe all the stereotypes of Texas and they love it. So we are using that to our advantage," says Nicole.

In much of Europe there are beautiful churches, hundreds of years old, that are virtuously empty on Sunday mornings.

Roberts says that a relationship with God is not a common concept there. People are very slow to step through the doors of a church, but a coffee house, well, that’s another story.

Mark Batterson (pastor, author, and founder of Ebenezer’s coffee house in Washing DC) describes the vision for a coffee shop ministry as a place where the community and church cross paths. He explained that Jesus didn't just hang out with religious people in religious places. He hung out at water wells--natural gathering places during ancient culture. Coffee house have become post-modern wells.

"Texas Coffee House will be a modern day well. People will gather around for coffee and will have the love of Christ thrown in," says Roberts.

The Roberts' mission with Texas Coffee House is two-fold: 1. Above all to share God's love with the people of Belgium 2.To win the battle against the injustice of human trafficking.

"Our hearts are heavy to raise awareness that modern day slavery is happening before our eyes," says Nicole. Some of the statistics will make you lose sleep, especially if you’re a parent, a grandparent, or have a heart of compassion.

We have such a short window of time on this earth. Why not use it to make a difference?"

In May, the Roberts sold their house and everything in it. "We literally put a price tag on everything--furniture, rugs, everything in the cabinets, on the walls, in the closets--and sold it all," says Nicole. However, it is not enough money to do what they know God has called them to do. The couple needs to raise $87,000 initially, but the overall project will cost nearly $500,000. They know the numbers appear insurmountable, but believe money is easy for God. "It is our prayer and hope the right people will come into our lives who want to become a part of the story God is writing in our lives for the people of Belgium."

For more information, to donate, or support the Roberts family, visit their Facebook page Texas Coffee House Belgium or call Nicole at 936-208-3278. Visit www.indiegogo.com, search 'Texas Coffee House Belgium' and give directly.

As God writes on each page of the Roberts' lives, they have been simply astounded. "With God as the Author and Finisher of our faith, how can we not trust and follow his leading? The Bible says, “Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and he will direct your path.'"

• Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking.

• There are approximately 27 million victims of human traff icking world wide.

• Every thirty seconds, someone is forced into this type of bondage—modern slavery.

• The average age of a trafficked victim is 12 years old.

• Only 1-2% of victims are ever rescued.

• 1 in 100,000 European traffickers are ever prosecuted.

• It is not uncommon in some countries for parents to sell their children into this industry to make ends meet.

• Runaways are some of the most vulnerable victims to be sold in the industry.

Nicole shares that there are two sides of human trafficking: young girls and boys are forced to have sex with complete strangers, sometimes up to 40 times a day and the money goes to their pimps. The other side is labor trafficking where very young children are forced into hard labor or into panhandling on the streets. "The people who force kids to beg for money don’t think it’s enough to stick a dirty kid with dingy clothing in front of tourists. They take it a step further, amputating their limbs or gauging out their eyes to make them blind. They do sick and disgraceful acts to these innocent children to pull on the heartstrings of passersby.

We can’t sit back and do nothing. We can’t rescue every victim, but we can do what we can to help the ones we can. tjmag.com • 29

PLACES & FACES Alive After 5 Nacogdoches PRCA Rodeo & Steer Show Kick Off

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1. The Junior League of Lufkin’s Big RAFFLE is in progress! The League is selling tickets, $5 a piece or 3 for $10 for chances to win several items donated by locally owned businesses. Money raised from the raffle is put to work right here in Angelina County supporting various league projects. Tickets will be sold at various locations in Lufkin not limited to Brookshire Brothers, Downtown Hoedown, and Crown Colony Country Club. Winners will be announced at the Lufkin Chamber of Commerce Power Networking Breakfast on May 16, 2014. For more information, visit www.juniorleagueoflufkin.org.

IN THE NEWS

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2. Woodland Heights Medical Center announced that it is the first hospital in the deep East Texas area to implant the Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) System in a patient, the smallest implantable cardiac monitoring device available. The procedure was performed by Dr. Rohit Kedia, Cardiologist.

3. Lufkin Women’s Power Lunch recently collected donations for the Rainbow Room of Lufkin. Mary Ann Doyle; Sharon Tullis; Kimber Jones; Judy Smith; Tina Price, Lufkin Community Partners Board Member; Tammi Axelson, Lufkin Community Partners President; Lillie Tullos; Janie Jordan, Lufkin Community Partners Board Member and Diana Scott display some of the donated items.

Each month the Women’s Power Lunch group collects items for various nonprofit agencies. In April, attendees are asked to bring items for Cake Angels.

The luncheon is free to the public. To learn more about The Women’s Power Lunch and to view the 2014 schedule, please visit www.memorialhealth.org.

4. Women’s Networking Luncheon • Friday, May 9, 2014 • Networking: 11:30am – 11:45am | Lunch, Presentation & ATHENA Award: 11:45am – 1:00pm • Featuring Jackie Lyles, Author • $25 Registration | Reserve your spot by calling (936) 6346644 or email CBlack@LufkinTexas.org • Crown Colony Country Club.

Nomination open for the ATHENA Leadership Award to be announced at the Women’s Networking Luncheon on May 9, 2014. Nomination deadline is April 25, 2014. For more information, visit www.lufkintexas.org.

5. These volunteers recently completed the Family Crisis Center of East Texas Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate Training. Top Row: Glenna Harkness (FCC Program Director), Melissa Turner, Quinteria Runnels, Jaime West (FCC Child Advocate), Tiffany Willie Bottom Row: Brittney Miciotto, Norma Sanford (FCC Medical Advocate/ SANE Nurse) Not Pictured: Betsy Henderson, Amy Moreno, and Krystal Horn. The next Volunteer Advocate Training is scheduled from April 4th from 9-5 p.m., lunch provided. If you are interested in participating as a Volunteer Advocate and/or attending the next training, please contact Susan Robertson at (936) 639-1681.

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6. The East Texas VEE-DUB Chapter of the Vintage VW Club of America will present A Bloomin’ Good Volkswagen Show on Saturday, March 22. As many as 100 Volkswagens will be on hand for the show, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Festival Park just south of downtown Nacogdoches. There is no charge for spectators, but donations are welcome. All proceeds will go to the Relay for Life – Nacogdoches County, an annual fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.

Organizers are also soliciting sponsorships for the show at a cost of $30 per sponsor. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring the show and helping the American Cancer Society should call Smith at 936-569-7821 or James Perryman at 936-288-2724. To enter a vehicle in the show, just drive it down to Festival Park the morning of the event.

Entry into the show is $15 per Volkswagen. For more information about the VW Show or other Nacogdoches Azalea Trail events, call the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-888-OLDESTTOWN or visit www.nacogdochesazaleas.com. Be our friend on facebook @ Nacogdoches Azalea Trail.

7. Woodland Heights Medical Center has named Martha Hendry as 2013 Employee of the Year. This award is the highest honor bestowed on a hospital employee each year. Hendry was chosen from among the 500-plus employees for the honor.

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THE RAINBOW ROOM GIVING BACK

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The Rainbow Room is located at 1210 S. Chestnut Dr. You can email us at rainbowroomlufkin@yahoo.com or contact Tammi Axelson at 936-404-8986

What is the rainbow room?

The Rainbow room is an emergency resource room located at Child Protective Services that stores items such as diapers, wipes, baby formula, clothes, shoes, car seats, portable cribs, lice treatment, snacks, toys, etc. These items are for children who are involved with Child Protective Services and have emergency needs.

Why is there a need for this organization in the community?

The investigators at Child Protective Services come in contact with children who are either victims of abuse or neglect or who are at risk of being victims everyday. The children often have needs that need to be met right away in order to make them safe. For example, the children are hungry, they do not have appropriate clothes or shoes, they do not have a car seat, they sleep on the f loor or on unsanitary mattresses, they have lice or their parents can't afford to purchase medications, uniforms, etc. The caseworkers would spend hours looking for resources in the community but now because of Luf kin Community Partners they have there resources available immediately. Also, The government provides f inancial assistance to foster parents but if a family member wants to help care for a child that is in an unsafe environment there is no government assistance available. Lufkin Community Partners assists family members who willingly step in and become care-takers for these children.

Real Stories. Why they continue doing what they do: We received a call from CPS that a grandmother and grandfather were going to become the care-taker for their three grandsons. They live off social security and could not provide much but they wanted to love and protect their grandchildren. Luf kin Community Partners purchased the family beds, clothing, shoes and provided extra food until they could apply for food stamps.

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A family was referred to CPS because of suspected neglect.

The home was infested with roaches and the family had no way to afford pest extermination. The parents had never been taught how to clean. Luf kin Community Partner paid for the extermination and provided the family cleaning supplies.

CPS removed two children from a home that was also being used as a methamphetamines lab. Everything they owned was contaminated and the children left with nothing but their clothes. The caseworker took them to the Rainbow Room and each child was provided new clothes, shoes, underwear, a stuffed animal, pillow/blanket, toiletries, a special toy and a duff le bag to carry all their new belongings.

How can people get involved? Volunteer?

Donate? Events/fundraisers/angels?

To help Luf kin Community Partners you can provide a f inancial donation, you can organize a drive at your church, off ice or organization for items for the Rainbow Room and you can support our fundraisers. We have an annual 5k in December called the Reindeer Run and we sell t-shirts for Child Abuse Awareness month in April. You can also donate food for Thanksgiving baskets for families in need and shop for christmas gifts.

We are selling blue child abuse awareness t-shirts for $15 during the month of April. Please email the address below if you would like to order one.

tjmag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 35

H EALTHCARE

Specialized Care, Close to Home

F

ew things are more exciting than the arrival of a new baby. Upon such a wondrous occasion, most mothers are admitted to the hospital, deliver healthy babies and return home with their new bundle of joy in just a few short days. However, some infants need extra care and support at birth. These babies--either born prematurely, with low birth weights, conditions that require special attention or monitoring, difficulties during delivery, or who just need a little more time to mature before going home-were once transported to hospitals in Shreveport, Dallas, or Houston. However, roughly four months ago, Woodland Heights Medical Center opened the region's first and only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to serve infants and families in the Lufkin area. Conveniently close to home, the Level II NICU offers specialized services for newborns in need of additional care. “We are proud to be able to invest in this community and offer a service that is currently not being offered in deep East Texas,” said Casey Robertson, CEO of Woodland Heights.

"When I decided I wanted to have a career in nursing, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of newborns and their families.

Working in the NICU gives me that opportunity."

-WHMC NICU nurse, Barbara Bertrand Since it's opening in December, WHMC's six-bed, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has served more than 50 families from Angelina County, as well as from surrounding counties.

"Just a few months ago, these families would have had to travel to Houston, Shreveport or Dallas to have their babies cared for; now those babies needing Level II care are able to stay close to home. That means those families do not have the travel, lodging, or meal expenses of staying or visiting out of town. They also have friends and family, their support system, closer. That means a lot for parents going through the process.

Even if babies are transferred to a Level III NICU, they are able to “graduate” to a Level II and be transferred back closer to home sooner," says Jennifer Stevens, Director of Marketing for Woodland Heights Medical Center.

The NICU provides access to advanced equipment and resources and the nursery is equipped and staffed to care for pre-term infants from 32 weeks to full term, as well as 24-hour neonatology coverage. Stevens says the response has been overwhelmingly positive. "Our local obstetricians and pediatricians have played a huge part in the addition of this service line and our local Board of Trustees has been very supportive throughout the process. This is a positive addition to deep East Texas. " Not only does the NICU offer advanced technology, but it is staffed with specialized nurses, respiratory therapists, 36 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

occupational therapists and physical therapists trained in newborn care. "Woodland Heights strives to maintain a high quality of care in all areas. Our NICU nurses have all gone through specialized training and continue to receive ongoing education," says Stevens. "There are no other nurses taking care of these special babies in our area. We are proud of the compassionate and professional care they provide."

Unlike adults, a newborn cannot indicate their needs or identify if there is a situation occurring in the body. NICU nurses must use their diagnostic skills to monitor and help the tiny patient along.

A newborn's condition can go from stable to critical in a very short time. An attentive and knowledgeable nurse is a must in such critical situations. Barbara Bertrand and Nobely Balaraman are two of Woodland Heights Medical Center's NICU nurses providing the extra level of support to care for these tiny patients.

"My NICU story began late last summer when I read about the announcement of the forthcoming and groundbreaking Level II NICU in the hospital newsletter. I was ecstatic and I literally had goose bumps! It has always been my passion to take care of the precious littlest ones. I promised myself to do everything I can to be able to do the thing I love. So when I found out about the opening of NICU, I did not hesitate and applied for the position.

It's like a dream come true!" says Nobely Balaraman. "I feel a sense of accomplishment working with the babies and their families. The trust a family gives you caring for their precious little one and the bond you share with them is priceless."

"When I decided I wanted to have a career in nursing, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of newborns and their families. Working in the NICU gives me that opportunity. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling place to work than one where I can make a difference in the life of an entire family. I love to share in their joy the first time they get to hold their baby and celebrate with them as they take their little one home," shares Barbara Bertrand.

Both nurses say that the most difficult part of their job is accepting that despite the best efforts of all doctors and nurses involved, some families do not end up with the happy ending they hoped for. “Effectively assisting a family with care and compassion in such a sad time is the most difficult part of the job," shares Bertrand. "Whether it is the joy of helping a critically ill baby survive or by offering the support and love the family so desperately needs when a tiny life comes to an end, it touches your heart to really get to know a family."

East Texas will continue to benefit from the competent care offered by the committed nursing professionals of WHMC NICU, and the tiniest patients in Lufkin can trust that they are in good hands. www.woodlandheights.net

photographed by Kylie Tyer

PLACES & FACES

Cattle Baron Media Kick-Off

tjmag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 37

RODEO QUEEN

K

allie Wisener is no stranger to a rodeo arena. All her life she has been around the sport. Kallie shares, “My Uncle David Wisener and dad Kevin Wisener are the reasons for that. My uncle had a passion for rodeo. He was the owner of Wisener Arena and the Zavalla rodeo for years. He also helped start the Luf kin Ranch and Rodeo which hauled bulls all over the United States for PBR events. My dad started Bull Bash back in the late eighties.”

It wasn’t until her sophomore year of High School when a friend asked her to ride horses that her new hobby began. That friend loved to barrel race, so Kallie and her sister soon started competing in the sport. She began barrel racing just in time. During her junior year, she was able to join the Texas High School Rodeo Association Region V. According to Wisener, “It’s the biggest, the baddest, and the best high school rodeo in Texas.” With the sport of rodeo comes a huge responsibility, and as Kallie puts it, “There is so much to learn in the sport.

Responsibility, determination, and patience are key. My parents make sure that the horses are my responsibility. I wake up early every morning, rain, snow, or shine to feed. Every evening after riding, I'm feeding. I'm responsible for picking up feed at the feed store, vet appointments, worming the horses, calling the Ferrier, and hauling to each show. There is not much time to do anything else.” Kallie recalls the opportunity of training a week with Michele McCloud, a 2013 NFR Qualifier. She says, “Making it to the NFR is something I hope to be able to do.”

She also explains that determination comes in when you know you may want to go hang out with your friends, but you stay home to exercise your horse instead.

She encourages young ladies to never give up on your dream to be the best and always strive for the best even when it seems impossible. She also has a great deal of patience with her hobby. She explains, “When you're working with young horses, coming off of an injury or maybe just simply having a bad run, you have to practice patience. You're not going to win every rodeo, but you have to learn from your mistakes and grow from them. That's what's going to make you a better rider and what's made me a better rider as well.” She goes on to say, “I ride by faith, because no matter what the outcome, God’s always on my side. With that, He controls my runs, and I praise Him when I win and when I lose.”

Kallie Wisener is an exceptional young lady in and out of the arena. Not only was she involved with the Region V rodeo, but she currently serves as the Student Secretary and Ariat Reporter. She is a member of the 2013-2014 Drug Free All Stars. Upon graduation, she will have completed 26 college hours from Angelina College. Another passion outside of rodeo is skeet shooting. Kallie competes under the direction of Chuck Griffeth. In June, she will represent Region V in the THSRA State Finals in Abilene.

“My prayer is that others can see Jesus in me. It is an honor to be the 2014 Angelina County Benefit Rodeo Queen. A Bible verse that I have stood on my senior year is, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14. When I run, I strive to have victory not only in the arena, but also outside of the arena, as well. It's so important to set goals and never underestimate that you can achieve them.”

38 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

photograph by Lasting Memories Photography by Tonya Neuman

tjmag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 39

INSPIRING YOUNG WOMEN

E

Corinne Caraway

CoURTNEY DANIELS

SARA GUNTER

SENIORS 2014 ast Texas is blessed to give a well rounded education combined with various extracurricular activities to the future leaders of tomorrow. These young ladies are stand out students among their peers. They have managed their education as well as work, volunteer service, and their hobbies. As they are in the final days of their high school career, we would like to recognize their hard work and accomplishments.

Corinne Caraway "As a kid I changed my mind over and over about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I thought about everything from a vet to a fashion designer as I would move through my 4-H projects. But so many of the things I was infatuated with seemed more like hobbies instead of career paths. When I got to high school, people were suddenly interested in my future, but I just was not sure what that future was yet.

Mr. Eubanks, the man who was teaching me Art History, World History, and English five times a week for three hours a day, looked at me one day and asked me what I was going to do with my life. He told me he wanted me to be a writer. From that point on , I allowed my mind to flourish with each book, poem and article that I would read. I currently have two different books that I am working on writing.

I will be attending Texas A&M University in the fall to major in English with a Creative Writing emphasis. I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life that will take me even closer to getting my name on the New York Times Best Seller List. I know trying to survive in this world as a writer is a risky business, but it is more than worth it to try.

No one ever said life would be easy, but if I am doing what I love, I do not think I care how difficult it is. Besides, I can always go be a princess at Disney World while I am waiting for my big break.

I'm not kidding, I've looked into this; It is a solid back up plan."

Corinne has a long list of activities and accomplishments. There is no doubt she will make her mark wherever her feet take her.

Courtney Daniels "As a graduating senior, I have made the decision to attend Tarleton State University in Stephenville,

Texas. My desire to major in Agricultural Services and Development played a huge factor in my decision to attend TSU. After careful consideration and numerous discussions with my mom and my school counselor, it seems to be the best fit to enable me to pursue my long term career goals.

share my experiences and my passion with future students. I have heard it said, "There is no greater compliment than to emulate another."

When the time comes for me to be a mentor, guide, and be the role model to my future students, I know I have had the best of examples."

Throughout my years in high school, I have been involved in various clubs and activities. I am currently the Varsity Cheer Captain, FFA Treasurer and Angelina County 4-H County Council President. My love for the outdoors and animals has been a huge influence in pointing me in the direction of my goal to become an agriculture teacher.

Sara Gunter "I have many interests and have had the opportunity to be a part of many extracurricular activities throughout my high school years. I am a current member of the Future Farmers of America, Texas High School Rodeo Association, and a starting forward for the Central Ladydogs Varsity Basketball Team. I have also had the experience of participating on the cross country team as well as a past member of the track team. I plan to attend Panola College in Carthage, Texas and participate in the National Intercollegiate Rodeos by being an active member on the Panola Rodeo Team. While at Panola, I plan to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. My ultimate goal is to become a Physical Therapist. I have been raised by a single mom since I was three years old. I know that it is financially stressful to fund the activities that I have been involved in while growing up. I am blessed that my mom has worked so hard for me that I can do the things I have done."

The majority of my life I have been an active 4-H member. I have been involved in food projects, arts and crafts projects, and small and large animal projects. In addition to my animal responsibilities that are shown at the Angelina County Youth Fair,the Houston Livestock Show, and the Fort Worth Livestock Show, I was also voted secretary of my 4-H club for two years, council delegate for two years, president for one year, and parliamentarian for one year. I believe one of my proudest accomplishments in 4-H was holding the office of President for the Angelina County 4-H Council for two consecutive years. Being voted into this office twice has been an extreme privilege and one of my crowning achievements. For the past three years I have been in FFA, I have held the office of student advisor my junior year and treasurer my senior year. Cheer has also been a large part of my life, as I have competed on a competition team since 1st grade. I have been a varsity cheerleader captain the past two years.

My ultimate goal after completing my college degree is to return to my hometown and become an agriculture teacher. I would love the chance to

Kaitlyn Lum Kaitlyn is currently ranked number one in her class, will graduate with 27 college hours, and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M. She is currently in line to graduate on the Distinguished Achievement Program.

"During my high school years, I have managed to balance high school, college classes, extracurricular

activities, and part time work. This year I am a member of the National Honor Society and FFA, and currently serving as President of both organizations.

I have also been a participant in Varsity Softball for four years, as well as serving as a Varsity Cheerleader for two years. Due to my association with these organizations I have been awarded many district awards.

I believe my time spent in these organizations has helped me learn how to balance multiple things at once while depending on time management skills to keep it all in order. I feel that all of these activities have contributed to me learning how to be a more responsible person and how to follow through on my obligations."

Cristyn Nicols Cristyn is a very well rounded young woman.

She has been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities since she was 4.

"For many years I have been looking forward to going to college, and now that this time of my life is here, it is a much different process than I pictured it for the first sixteen years of my life. Many people

CRISTYN NICHOLS have asked me what I plan to major in and where I am going to attend college. I have spent many hours of my high school contemplating about my future. I have taken into account everything I have achieved and experienced throughout my life that would influence my decision. I am the kind of girl who is exceedingly determined to finish something I have started and put everything I can into anything I love to do. I am a family oriented country girl who loves to ride four-wheelers, horses, and even raise animals for the Angelina County Youth Fair. I have always loved animals and growing up in East Texas was the perfect place for me. My whole life I planned on attending Texas A&M University because of the way I was raised in the country, and I knew I would fit in well there."

Cristyn Nichols has been involved in KYSSED, Drug Free Allstars, Student Council, FFA, 4-H, and National Honor Society, Academy of Gymnastic and Dance Competitive cheer team, and Varsity Golf Team.

Sarah Smith "Ever since I was a child, I have strived to be the best at what I do. Whether it was something trivial

SARAH SMITH

photography by Color Dawn Photography & Design

KAITLYN LUM

or something important, I wanted to do my best. As I went through elementary school and Jr. High, I kept myself in this mindset. I stayed on the All-A Honor Roll and excelled in the Accelerated Reader program. As I entered high school, I encountered a more rigorous course load and had more school work than I ever had in my entire life. I resolved then and there to be in the top ten of my graduating class. As high school progressed, so did my goal.

When senior year rolled around, I narrowed my goal down even more. I had my mind set on being in the top five of my class. So now it's senior year and the finish line is staring me straight in the face. Here I am sitting in the salutatorian position, and I can almost taste the victory."

Sarah has had a phenomenal high school career. She has been a Drug Free All Star, served as Diboll FFA Sentinal and Vice President, the President of the SMASH Club, National Honor Society Vice President, Football Trainer, and played on the Diboll Softball Varsity Team. She plans to play collegiate softball with Southwestern Assemblies of God University and major in Sports Medicine.

tjmag.com • 41

YOU R

life 44 something abundant 46 fashion 50 stretch marks 52 sisterhood

tjmag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 43

SOMETHING ABUNDANT

A WOMAN CAME Matthew 26:6

N

ot one made any attempt to oblige my invitation, "Draw or write something on your paper sack so that you will know which one is yours."

Mother hens with their chicks swirled in and out of the small thatched room where some forty women gathered, mercifully protected from the African sun and dry wind. They, in colorful fabric and head covers, sat on grass woven mats. I stood above them, awkward and nervous, speaking a seemingly odd request through an interpreter.

The story of the alabaster jar must be told. Jesus said so (Matt. 26:13). The plans were carefully written, the supplies brought halfway around the world. As an activity to get things rolling, I set out a box of colored pencils and then instructed the ladies to draw and decorate a white paper sack.

As the three-day Fulani women's conference progressed, their sacks would serve a place to collect the items we would make as we learned and studied the story of the alabaster jar. But at the critical moment of f irst impressions, blank stares met my eager, yet timid request. I repeated the invitation using words that seemed less complicated and more open-ended. This time they appeared to believe I lost my mind. I don’t know if West Africa is home to crickets, but in my memory of this event, thousands mocked me with deafening chirps.

The translator interpreted a single sentence, and a women sitting to the right of where I stood quietly spoke. “We don’t know what to draw, because you haven’t shown us how.” He let me in on the issue: most never had a reason or opportunity to hold a pencil or write. Suddenly the gap between what I had in common w ith the g roup proved me unqualif ied to even touch the Great Commission, let alone carr y it out.

I sat down next to a woman and put a red pencil in her hand. Then I took her hand in mine the way I did my kindergarten students' back in my teaching days. I scribbled a circle shape and then drew a stem underneath it with a green pencil. Holding the bag up for everyone to see, I said, “Flower!” to the interpreter. He translated. A few offered a compassionate smile for my pitiful drawing.

44 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

by Angie Nichols

Just when I thought to scrap the whole project as a very bad idea, everything changed. One woman, the woman whose sack I used as a poor example, shyly took the pencil and drew a bug next to my f lower. I feverishly asked how to say, “Good,” in their native language of Fufulde. “Whoa-dee,” came the answer.

“Whoa-dee! Whoa-dee! VERY VERY Whoa-dee!”

Because they had never held a pencil before, they also never thought to draw an object on f lat paper. I realized my request for their participation in this activity was far from a safe or simple one. However, one woman's attempt gave the others permission to try. They watched how she held the pencil and d id likew ise. Suddenly sacks w ith pictures of millet pounders, water buckets, and other items they know and use began to f ill the room with conversations, friendly teasing, and laughter. One woman made all the dif ference and emerged as a leader.

One woman took a r isk, and her of fering gave courage to ever yone watching. It set t he tone for t he remainder of our time together.

And in one simple moment, the Spirit of the living God brought the message of t he a laba ster ja r to l i fe before opened eyes. The story of the alabaster jar teaches that one woman who came bold ly, while even yet afraid, caused eternal gain in God's k ingdom. She came to Jesus with her most treasured g ift, and not only of fered it into His hand, but rather broke it and poured its precious contents out upon H is feet in a socially obscene d isplay of bare naked tr uth. She r isked public r idicule to show her love for the One who forgave her past and secured her future.

"She has done a beautiful thing to me," Jesus said of her. (Matt. 26:10) Jesus invited me to tell the story of this one woman in Africa, and He tells me to remember for myself, too. Perhaps you need to know again, as well: He sees you! You are important, esteemed, and necessary in the telling of His Love story. The story of the alabaster jar teaches us all to risk everything for an eternal affair, a unique and personal love requited, and a returned-in-kind redamancy.

Pour it out! When Jesus locks you square in His gaze and calls it, “Beautiful,” nothing of this world compares. Love demonstrated, accepted, and returned by one woman has an intoxicating affect on Jesus, the One and Only.

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice! (Songs 4:10) Your one risk just might give courage to everyone watching.

"...wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she had done will also be told in memory of her." (Matt. 26:13) Dear woman, what will be told in memory of you? What words of His have you believed, can you believe now? What is your alabaster jar? Your fragrant offering?

{Matt. 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-11, Luke 7:36-50, John 12:1-10}

Angie Nichols is the founder of Something Abundant Ministries, serving women through worship and Biblical teaching and the author of Something Abundant: growing from a child of God to the bride of Christ. Her passion is for women to know the beauty of an abundant life knowing Christ as Bridegroom. She is married to Chris and they have one daughter, Mycah. For more information, to read more or book speaking events, visit: somethingabundantministries.org tjmag.com • 45

FASHION

NEW SEASON, NEW SHOES SPRING 2014 SHOE TRENDS

S

hoes are my favorite kind of trend to try and my favorite fashion item. Don’t make me tell you how many pairs I have! With the changing of every season, I look forward to trying a few new shoe trends. For one, shoes wear out by nature, so trying a trendy pair now and then doesn’t feel like a big investment. And two, I find new, unique shoes easier to pull off because they are worn so far away from your face. I have collected my favorite spring 2014 shoe trends, all of which are under $50. Happy spring shoe shopping!

Gladiators Gladiators are still hot for spring 2014. This trend first came out in spring/summer 2008, and this season they are back. You’ll see this style in sandals and booties.

Color Block Sandals Color blocking is a fun, stylish way to add more colors into your spring wardrobe.

$24.99 Yoki Misha Black Jeweled Gladiator Sandal K-Mart

$39.99 Fioni Heidi T-Strap Wedges Payless

Black & White Black & White looks great on tops, dresses, and skirts. Shoes are no exclusion.

You could make a bold statement with these pumps by pairing them with a bright red or cobalt dress. $29.99 Fioni Krime Peep Toe Pump Payless

Snakeskin Snakeskin is in! Look for snakeskin sandals in every color of the rainbow this year. The snakeskin print can take the place of your neutral shoes and fit right in with your current wardrobe. $26.94 Animal Print Pointed Flats Old Navy 46 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

Floral Prints Florals are popping up everywhere this spring and that includes shoes. From floral booties to a more classic pump, this is a fun trend that will get you in the spring season spirit. $35 Olsenboye Rumer Ankle Strap Heels JCP

by Jessica Tinsley Bridges, Creator of jesslea.com

Cut Out Sandals If you're looking to add some unique artistic elements to your shoe collection, then these stunning cut-out shoe designs are made for you. These creative cut-out shoe designs purposely feature cut-out designs that show off your skin underneath.

Block Heel Block heels are one of the newest shoe trends this season. They are a close cousin to the platform heel; block heels are comfortable and easy to walk in.

These new heels are so chic and modern. They’re a must have in your wardrobe and can be paired with everything from skinny jeans to a spring dress.

$24.99 Yoki Karylle Caged tan Sandal K-Mart

$24.99 Xhilaration, Sanna Block Heel Pump Target Vibrant Flats A bright flat is a great way to update a simple dress or jeans and a T-shirt.

They let you be fancy, without having the pain of wearing high heels. They let you be cute, with all the adorable embellishments, bows and colors. $24.94 Perforated Faux-Suede Flats Old Navy White

Wedges

White shoes are going strong for spring. It seems the 90s are back in a big way with white heels returning to the fashion scene. Whether it is in the form of a pump or a sandal, all are on trend for spring 2014.

A tall wedge may look scary, but it's surprisingly comfortable.

The all-white shoe is no longer considered a faux pas and can now be called fashionable once again!

It gives you a break from the basic black shoe and is edgier than wearing a nude shoe. They are the new neutral shoe to have this season. $39.99 Cosmopolitan A-List High Heel Sandals JCP

Wedge sandals are perfect for a laid-back, but fresh, daytime vibe. This style is great for days when you'll be walking a lot or if you prefer a little more stability without sacrificing style. Wedge sandals come in many heights, textures and colors, making them extremely versatile wardrobe pieces. $29.99 Mossimo Vivien Strappy Wedges Sandals Target

Jessica (Jess) is a 28-year old brunette born and raised in Lufkin. She is in love with fashion and wearing high heels, even though she’s 5’10’’. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a Fashion Merchandising degree. She and her husband live in Houston with their 2 dogs, Bella and Bentley. She is an assistant buyer for a department store in Houston, Texas. She has her own fashion blog, Jess Lea where she shares her love for fashion on a budget.

photo by The Silhouette Studio

tjmag.com • 47

PLACES & FACES

photographed by Valena Spradley | Just V Photography

Corks & Forks

48 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

STRETCH MARKS

The UA

I

f you watch Law & Order: SVU like I do, then you’re probably pretty familiar with terms like "VIC," "IA," and "UA."

Today, boys and girls, we will be talking about the UA, the Unknown Assailant; it’s that thing, whatever or whoever it is, that continues to plague you. Night and day. Day and night. You see, friends, I'm dealing with a UA. Allow me to explain....

Several years ago, when the Attorney General and I lived footloose and fancy-free in a small two bedroom apartment with no children and no responsibilities, we found ourselves on the couch one night watching Ever ybody Loves Raymond. The episode we plopped down in front of was the one where Ray and Deborah come home from a trip and leave the unpacked suitcase on the stairs. Day after day, week after week, the suitcase sits there, unopened, unpacked. They would trip over it, fall over it and at times go so far as to open it up and take something out; but to unpack it and put it away, who's responsibility was that? Neither of them of fered assuming the other one should do it, and yada yada yada you can imagine the f ight that ensued.

I remember watching this particular episode and the conversation that followed going something like this:

Me: I wouldn't make you unpack it, I would do that.

AG: No, you wouldn't. I would do it. That's a man’s job.

Me: No, it's a woman's job to unpack it and a man's job to put it away. Deal?

AG: You're so smart. Ok, deal. Let's never f ight.

Me: Never! Kiss me!!

AG: Ok! And then let's go get ice cream!

Me: And take Salsa dancing lessons!

AG: Okay!

Or something stupid like that.

Fast forward to 2014. We have a mortgage and these kids who keep eating our food. And we are looking more and more like Ray and Deborah, except our issue isn't a suitcase, but I assure you, we have an issue.

For the fact that he reads my article every month and I will in no way give him the satisfaction of knowing what I'm specif ically referring to, I will continue to call it the UA. The Unknown Assailant.

At f irst, the UA was the Brookshire Brothers white, plastic, grocery bag. At some point it had f lown out of my car and landed in our front rose bushes. And there it stayed. For days. For weeks. He saw it. He HAD TO SEE IT! I certainly saw it, but I bought the groceries! I brought in the bags! Couldn't he at least remove the random grocery bag that had now become a f ixture to our landscaping? It was the f irst thing people noticed when they drove up. This stark white bag blowing in the wind as it clung helplessly to a rose bush. Every time I saw it, I prayed God would heap hot coals on that man’s head until he broke.

Apparently the coals weren't hot enough because he didn't budge; so when it broke loose and landed against our front door, I f igured it was time. I put it in the trash and we stayed married.

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by Melissa Radke

Score one for Raymond.

But now...

We have a new UA. Oh, it's there. Inside the house. He has to either be blind or stupid, and personally I'm praying for blind. He's seen it, I know he has. He's seen it many, many times - and yet, he's done nothing about it. But I haven't either. And I won't! Nope. Not again! I know visitors have seen it. I'm sure guests have been in our home and nearly thrown up in their mouths if they've spotted it, but I. Won't. Budge. Not this time. If that plastic bag taught me anything, it's this: Ok, I'm big talk. The plastic bag taught me nothing. It just made me mad. So this UA will continue to glare at me from across the room. It will taunt me and haunt me and that's okay, because this time? It's on him. If it rots our wood and we have to sell our home and move, so be it. If eventually it melts a hole in our sub-f looring, causes a sink hole to swallow us up or his mother slips in it, I will stand f irm!

Wish me luck, my lovelies.

Oh, and that's one for Deborah.

Melissa Radke is married to the best looking man in town, whom she affectionately refers to as The Attorney General. They have two children, Remi and Rocco; you have probably seen their picture in the Most Wanted list at your local schools. She loves movie popcorn, telling her friends what to do with their hair and being the center of attention. You can find her anytime at melissa@lufkin.org or Chik-fil-A. You are encouraged to ask for her autograph. In fact, she insists.

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SISTERHOOD

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.â&#x20AC;?

- Sophia Loren

DEFEATING AGE The members of Doris Chapman and Joyce Carl's family are blessed with two rare gems. Doris and Joyce are sisters who grew up in the East Texas town of Liberty. At ages 95 and 90 respectively, the pair has seen just about everything in their days and learned much about life, love and family. Those closest to them characterize their bond as stronger than ever and tell of many camping and fishing adventures. The ladies' spirits are robustly healthy, even if their bones aren't, and both will tell you that the secret to longevity is staying active.

Joyce Carl still lives independently and drives to the dollar store and church. She was married for 50 years but has spent the last twenty-three as a widow. She is an avid horse lover and rode regularly well into her 80s. Her older sister, Doris Chapman is 95 and still resides in the family's hometown of Liberty. She jumps at the chance to go camping and fishing and will beat you in a game of dominoes or cards every time. The sisters have faced many personal tragedies, but endured with strength and determination.

Sport Carl is the daughter of Joyce and says of the sister duo, "Staying active is their secret, and they have all of us children and grandchildren do the same thing. Neither one of them have much grey hair in their head, they eat what they want, love to go fishing and even engage in friendly competition to see who comes out better on the day. On the nights we make stew when out camping, they argue about whose cornbread recipe is better. Everyone wonders who will come out on top of the argument. Doris insists on a pinch of baking soda. Joyce disagrees. They are just so funny!"

Below are the responses to some questions posed them. Pay close attention to their answers, dear reader. These sisters may inspire a new attitude for your battle weary soul, and impart the key to a long, prosperous life.

Women of all ages can testify to the hard knock life. The busyness of life and inevitable struggle of

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give the 17 year old you?

Joyce: Don't get married that early. I was just 18 when I married.

That's too young! You need to enjoy your youth rather than being tied down with a family. I was married 50 years and that was a great accomplishment. I had three daughters in my twenties and grew up with them. A lot of times I felt like a friend more than a mother. I wouldn't say I regret it, I just think it would have been so much fun to enjoy the things of youth like going out dancing.

But waiting until your 30s and 40s is too old.

Doris: I suppose I would probably say to the seventeen year-old me, "Live a good, clean, healthy life. Be kind and courteous and helpful to other people and love your family and God." I lived that kind of life, and I don't have any regrets. When we were school children, we carried our lunches in an empty syrup bucket.

We couldn't afford sliced bread, so we took homemade biscuits.

We hid our lunches under a bridge on the way to school in the morning and stopped to eat on our way home. I guess we were embarrassed. There is no need to be ashamed of what you do have or embarrassed about what you don't have.

If you could've had one modern convenience of today when you were 20, which item would it be?

Joyce: A washing machine and a dryer. I remember one especially frustrating day right after my first child was born. The wind blew the clothesline down and I had to wash all the cloth diapers all over again. As a child, I saw my mother stand over a rubbing board for hours. When it was my turn, I'd rub all the skin off my fingers.

When I got my first washing machine, it was one of the happiest

photographs by Lisa Crow

being human have a way of beating a soul into despair. It is a rare treasure to witness an elderly woman with a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a bright countenance of joyous victory. If you have the chance to know one who has survived the battle, you are well served to pay close attention and ask lots of questions.

days of my life! I'd give up just about anything I own right now, but not my washer and dryer.

What is the secret to keeping strong family bonds?

Doris: That's hard to say. I think a television. I haven't always watched a lot of television, but it has been especially good for me the last few years. I watch the game shows like Jeopardy, and I like to watch the news. I don't usually like to watch sports on television because I watched so much of it when my children were involved as kids, but I did watch the SFA basketball team in the tournament.

Joyce: Even when you live far apart, it's important to make an effort to be involved in one another's lives. Make an effort to help others because it improves yourself and makes life more fun to share with the ones you love. I'll tell you, the secret to a happy marriage is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Turn around and walk out." When things get heated, give one another some space. Walking away saves a lot of hurt feelings and meaningless arguments. When my husband and I disagreed, I'd think, "Okay. The good Lord will take care of you, buddy. Why incriminate myself?" Then I'd walk away. Leave everything to God. He will take care of it. He will.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge/most important goal for the current generation of young people?

Joyce: Getting an education. Realizing that they need an education and then getting it no matter the cost or trouble. I don't care how rich or poor you are, if you really want it, you can get one. My kids all worked and saved for their school accounts. They needed an education so they didn't have to work in minimum wage jobs or come home and live with us. Young people need to get an education or get out and work.

Doris: So many young people today are so involved in the internet and computers. They are interested in that, and I guess it's a good thing. I do think though, they might be better served to concern themselves with others and less on themselves. Often they are missing a greater part of life and of family, love, and being together. Caring about the common, little things of life is what makes for real and lasting joy.

Doris: I think everyone has to make an effort. Everyone in the family. We need to teach our children to be kind and gentle and forgiving. There are always problems in a family, and if you can't love and forgive, the problems grow and cause a family to break.

Visit often, even after everyone is grown up. We did a lot of camping and fishing, and I still like to do it. I want to teach my family to love each other and show that love by sticking together and supporting each other and helping each other. I hope they remember their family and practice the values they have been taught. Visit each other often.

"I don't know if we're old and wise or just plum crazy!" laughed Joyce. A sense of humor and laughter is obviously good medicine for these sisters. It is easy to see they love one another very much, and are winning the battle of ages. Just don't ask them whose cornbread is better.

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PLACES & FACES

photographed by Valena Spradley | Just V Photography

AB/C Arbor Day Celebration Tree Seedling Give-a-Way!

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YOU R

child 58 pretty babies 62 the creative mom 64 you are invited 66 look at me

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PRETTY BABIES

1

4 5 3 1. Owen Axelson. 8/9/13. Proud Parents: Chris & Tammi Axelson. Proud Grandparents: Keith & Connie Axelson / Bill & Susan Crouse. 2. Henley Ryse Dearing. 2/20/2014. Proud Parents: JB & Kayli Dearing. Proud Grandparents: Wesley & Joan Brock / Gary & Charyse Gee. 3. Laney Ryan Gann. 3/7/14. Proud Parents: Nathan & Crystal Gann. Proud Grandparents: Tom & Vicki Gann (Lufkin, TX) / Buddy & Kathi Stalnaker (Nacogdoches, TX). 4. Izabella Sophia Leahy. 2/14/14. Proud Parents: Jennifer & Larry Leahy (Lufkin, TX). 5. Audrey Joy Murphy. 3/24/14. Proud Parents: Chuck & Beth Murphy (Dallas, TX). Proud Grandparents: Buddy & Kathi Stalnaker (Nacogdoches, TX).

E-mail Pretty Babies submissions to prettybabies@tjmag.com. Please include the information seen above.

Submissions are free of charge.

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PLACES & FACES

Hudson Basketball Closing Ceremony

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THE CREATIVE MOM

by Shanna Crew

PLASTIC MUSHROOM CHAIRS

M

y children keep hens. They love collecting fresh eggs each day and petting their favorite chickens.

Eva’s daily routine includes spending a good part of each morning---and afternoon---outside hanging out and taking care of her birds. We had a cute bistro set in the chicken yard, but she really needed something her size to sit and snuggle her hens.

Our chicken coop is kind of fancy, (It’s a castle! It was a worn out plastic playhouse until being refitted and repainted with plastic spray paint) so we wanted something equally special. I was not enthused about most of the colors offered in outdoor furnishing for kids, or the price. I snagged these plastic daycare-castoffs at a local thrift store for $.99/each. They were a great neutral color; the tan looked pretty good, but it just didn’t pop. I’ve been really pleased with the durability of the paint on the coop, so I used white plastic primer and red spray for plastic.

I thought cute red and white mushrooms would fit right in with our magical-fairytale-princess-poultry theme.

+

=

1. First, I scrubbed the chairs with Dawn dish soap.

It cut through all the greasy dirt and kid goo.

2. After letting the chairs dry, I sprayed several thin coats of plastic primer.

3. For the polka dots, I found a couple of things about the size I wanted and traced them onto paper. If you are particular, then use something like low-tack contact paper (after making sure primer is completely dry) to make your stencil. The paper stuck to the still-tacky primer, but not great.

For my chicken-yard chairs, I was OK with some overspray. Taped stripes, chevron, ombre... you could do all kinds of cute paint designs!

4. To clean up any edges, spray some paint into your lid and use a throw-away brush or a q-tip for areas you need to dot. You have to work pretty quickly as the spray paint dries FAST on your brush.

5. After everything has dried completely, you can spray a thin coat of polyurethane or other clear coat for added protection.

Shanna Crew left her job training astronauts at NASA to become a full time artist and mom. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeremy, who is a local attorney and co-founder of Big Thicket Brewery---Lufkin’s first craft brewery.

They have 3 children: Devon, Weston, and Evangeline.

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YOU ARE INVITED

GRADUATION PARTY AT THE BARN

T

he party at the Corley Farm in Hudson was hosted by Letha Tullos, Billie Jackson, Cyndy Aldred, Kelley Ford, Barbara Corley, and Marian Corley. The Barn Graduation party celebrated three Luf kin Seniors: Claire Corley (Texas A&M) and Sydney (University of Texas) and Reagan Sheffield (Ole Miss). This Shabby Chic themed party fit the three honorees to a tee.

Guests were served almond tea, lemonade, croissant sandwiches, dips and petit fours. Kelly Self directed "craft time" for the guests. They made a painted burlap door hanger. The yummy candy bar doubled as dĂŠcor and a unique party favor. The girls were given purple mason jars to fill up and take home. The party was complete with a fun memory for their college dorm rooms. They took pictures at the photobooth complete with props. It was a great graduation party to celebrate the accomplishments of these three young ladies.

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LOOK AT ME

LOOK AT ME! brought to you by

Smoothie King of Lufkin

4505 S Medford Dr. • (936) 632-5464

Like us on

1 2

3

1. Tristan Minguez, St. Cyprian’s 4th grader, earned advancement to round two of the Houston Spelling Bee with ‘Trepak,’ a word of Russian origin. Tristan joined 54 other students to represent 42 counties.

2. Ronin Mize, Tripp Zeleskey, Mary Michael Todd, Parker Hodges and Rocco Radke pose for a group picture before performing at their 4K Circus at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School.

3. Peyton and Reagan Diggs pose at the photo booth during the 4K Circus at St. Cyprian’s School.

4.The Children of the World International Choir is composed of children from the Child Sponsorship Program and includes children from: Uganda, Brazil, India and the Philippines. Foster Parents Dusty and Ashley met while attending Liberty University. God gave them the amazing opportunity to love, care for and spiritually nurture the children of this tour. This loving group shared their talents with St. Cyprian’s students and parents on February 27.

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PLACES & FACES

photographed by Lisa Crow

Angelina Arts Alliance Family Matinee, "Stuart Little"

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

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photographed by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES

Lufkin Rotary Club with Guest Speaker, State Representative Trent Ashby

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

photography by James Phifer/photobum.com

T

y Kirkland put his name on the map in 2013.

His rodeo career began in 2007 in Team Roping.

Ty explains, “Team Roping is a 2 man team.

You rely on another person to win money and that doesn’t always work out. One day I was at the Cowboy Church, and I saw a video of Ford Atkins riding a bucking horse. I asked him more about it and he got me all fixed up with the gear and horse I needed.

That’s when I decided to start.”

In November 2009, Kirkland began focusing on Saddle Bronc riding.

Ty remembers, “I never planned on going to college; I was just going to go work the Pipeline with my dad after graduating.” His senior year, college began to enter the picture. Colleges were calling and of fering scholarships for him to rodeo. “I received a full scholarship to Vernon College.”

Kirkland stayed there and entered college rodeos for a year and a half.

During that time he received his permit and pro card through the PRCA. Between college rodeos,

72 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

Ty explains, “That was the best part of 2013, that moment when I found out I won Rookie of the year.”

By winning Rookie of the Year, the PRCA invites the winner to the National Finals Rodeo. During the 6th round, winners go down to the arena f loor and

are given a variety of prizes. “We got all kinds of good stuff: buckle, boots, and a certif icate.”

For 2014, Ty Kirkland has big plans. He has partnered with another saddle bronc rider, Heath DeMoss. His goal for the year is to make the f inals. He says, “I need to be top 15 in the world. Last year I was 32, about $15,000-20,000 short.” There are over 400 annual rodeos in the US every year. To qualify for the NFR, you can only enter 100. Ty continues, “With Heath, he knows what he is doing. We are entering the big rodeos to get me to the NFR.” Although they are both competing in the same sport, there is a support system to win. Ty says, “Last week we both competed in the Nacogdoches Rodeo. He won first and I won second. As long as we have winners on the ride home, that’s all that matters.”

Be sure to look for Ty Kirkland as he rides at this year’s Angelina County Benefit Rodeo on April 23-26 at the George H. Henderson Expo Center.

EAST TEXAS COWBOY

he would enter the pro rodeos when he had time.

Little by little, he was f inding his niche in Saddle Bronc. He did well in the college arena, but according to him, he was winning more money in the pro rodeos. During his college career at Vernon, he did make it to the College Nationals in Casper, Wyoming placing 6th. After time, those pro rodeos became more appealing. On March 2, 2013, Ty Kirkland bought his rookie card. He knew he would only have one rookie year and wanted to make his mark. He says, “I knew I only had one chance to be rookie of the year. I was doing pretty well, so that is when I quit doing college rodeo and only entered the pro rodeos.” That same year, there were twenty others who received their rookie card. The season ended in September, and that is when he found out he won Rookie of the Year by a $2-3000 winning margin.

COMMUNITY LEADER

E

Glen Arnold

ach year, someone has to take the bull by the horns and step up to lead the Lions Club. With that leadership, you are committing to overseeing many projects and events in the area. One well known community project the Lions Club provides is the Z&OO Railroad. If you live within a 3o mile radius of the train, you have most likely experienced the train! Another responsibility of the club president is heading up the annual Angelina County Benefit Rodeo. It is a huge commitment for someone to volunteer to accept that role and those duties. This year’s leadership fell in the hands of Glen Arnold.

Arnold accepted his duties on July 1, 2013. Glen explains, “Growing up in the Arnold family, it is what we do. Thanks to my parents’ example, it is in our DNA to serve.”

Glen grew up in Luf kin and graduated from Luf kin High School. He has many rodeo memories; he attended one of the first rodeos hosted by the Lion Club. He has been married to JonAnna for 15 years and they have three children: Kimberlin, Charlie, and Addyson.

According to his wife, “Glen loves his kids and is at all of their functions whether it is a school program or a sporting event. I married my best friend, a good Christian man who sets a Godly example for our children to look up to and follow.”

Arnolds enjoys many other activities like volunteering with his church, coaching his kids’ athletic teams, chairing and planning Pineywoods Purgatory as a board member, running numerous marathons, and serving on the LISD Education Foundation board, but nothing is quite as near and dear to his heart than his fulltime job. Glen Arnold oversees the LISD Alumni Association. The LISD Alumni Association is the largest in the nation. Glen says, “I am proud to be able to do what I do for a living. For the last nine years, we have grown and given back a record breaking number of scholarships to our kids. This year, I am happy to say we will give out $118,000 to 118 students.”

Arnold jokes, saying he only contributes his time to things that are the best. He explains, “Our rodeo is one of the top 5 in the nation. We have a lot to be proud of. For our size, we offer one of the largest purses. That wouldn’t even be possible without the volunteers and sponsors. This year, the Lion’s Club board tried to tally up how much we have raised and given back to the community. Going back to the ‘90’s, we have a conservative figure of $4 million dollars that have been given back to Angelina County. This is why I agreed to stand in as president of the Lions Club.”

Whether you catch Glen at his day job or his many volunteer obligations, you will see passion and heart. His wife says, “Glen cannot say the word no. He is very dependable. Always puts others needs and wants in front of his own.”

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PLACES & FACES

photographed by Valena Spradley | Just V Photography

LISD Alumni Association Golf Tournament

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Concerned Black Men's Gala Awards Recipients (from left to right: Councilman Victor Travis, Jim Ligons, George Harris, Billy Daniels) Concerned Black Men President’s Award for having a community garden on Kurth Drive. The garden supplies food to the needy free of charge.

CONCERNED BLACK MEN OF LUFKIN

C

oncerned Black Men (CBM) is a national organization founded in 1975 in Philadelphia by a group of several police officers who sponsored social events for kids at risk to gang violence.

Today, its purpose is to establish and encourage initiatives to improve the quality of peoples' lives by reaff irming and promoting the responsible role of black males in the family and community through youth and adult education. While the vision of CBM’s founding members has expanded to include children and parents nationwide, the philosophy of men offering themselves as positive role models to children has remained the mission for more than a quarter of a century. The group focuses on providing mentors to discipline, support, and care for at-risk students through positive involvement, events and opportunities for academic and career enrichment. The Luf kin chapter of Concerned Black Men was established in 1992 by Darrell Mayfield and others.

The local CBM presents scholarships annually to deserving seniors of Luf kin High School, as well as, provides resources and collaboration with other community organizations, including the Deep East Texas Council of Governments and the Luf kin Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, to help the less-fortunate.

Goals: CBM works to create a community where: • Every child has a responsible caring adult in his or her life; • Summer enrichment programs are available to all young people, not just children from wealthy families; • Young people are empowered to change their lives by receiving appropriate and accurate information on health, social and community issues; • Quality public education is of highest priority; • Teenage parents are the exception, not the norm.

GIVING BACK From left to right: Judge Bob Inselmann and Lufkin Middle School Principal, Jesus Gomez, receive the Community Service Award. Those receiving this award are known for their outstanding community service throughout the county, for serving on boards and for providing outreach programs for youth.

Concerned Black Men of Lufkin Activities & Events: • Mentor Program and school visits-designed to improve academic and life outcomes for youth, exposing them to career choices, life goals, and good citizenship by partnering with mentors who can share life experiences and otherwise offer themselves as good role models.

• Teen Summit-- including community speakers addressing cyberbullying, technology, career options, leadership, and health matters.

• Don Boyd Summer Enrichment Camp--summer enrichment program offers mentoring to children by staff

and volunteers as well as peer leadership training for older youth, which includes life skills education, conflict resolution, anger management and leadership development.

• Scholarship Gala-- Last year's gala provided eight scholarships to Luf kin ISD students from the proceeds raised that evening.

• Monthly Church visits and Local Field Trips • Heritage Festival

For more information or to get involved contact: Concerned Black Men of Lufkin 118 S. First St. Lufkin, Texas 75901 936-639-1661 www.concernedblackmenlufkin.com CBM of Lufkin Officers President : Ralph Bean Vice President : Johnny Giles Secretary : Kenneth Self Treasure : Rotley Tankersley Assistant Treasure: Larry Kegler Parliamentarian : Royce Garrett

• Community Service Awards

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PLACES & FACES

photographed by Valena Spradley | Just V Photography

Angelina Beautiful Clean Clay Shoot

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MUSIC SCENE

photograph by Morgan Due

SAM SHUPAK

T

he local music scene is on the rise, and Sam Shupak is headed for the stars. Sam is a local boy, a product of his family and community, with a passion for music and performing. Sam’s love for music began at an early age. His mom, Regina Shupak, tells the story of Sam riding in the back of her friend’s convertible when he was two years old singing along to Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochie.” When asked what she thought when she heard little Sam in the backseat, she recalls, “I was shocked that he knew all the words to the song, and everyone clapped for him, and asked him to sing it everywhere we went. He also sang it to the entire basketball team when my Dad’s team won the state basketball tournament.” Needless to say, Sam’s performing career started at a young age and has only grown since.

Over the past few years, Sam’s growing popularity has given him the opportunity to share the stage with several well-known Texas and Nashville acts such as John Michael Montgomery, Jerrod Niemann, Granger Smith, Charlie Worsham, and the list goes on. He has also been able to play stages (aside from Texas) in Florida, Georgia, and Nashville.

Sam remembers, “I had the chance to perform for Nashville songwriter Jim Collins, who’s written number one hits for George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and others. He encouraged me to develop my own material.” After Collins’ encouragement, Sam co-wrote a handful of original songs with Justin Chance and Zach Maberry. Last May, Sam traveled to Nashville to record a three-song demo with producer Michael Spriggs, who has been a session player for over 25 years, and four-time Grammy winning sound engineer Mark Capps. The musicians that played on his demo are guys that would normally be seen backing the likes of Tim McGraw and Clint Black on tour and have played on sessions for Brooks & Dunn, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, and many, many more. SoundShop Studios, where the session was held, is one of the most established recording facilities in Nashville. Sam had a great time spending two days in the studio with so many talented musicians and is excited to get back to Nashville to complete his f irst album.

When he was younger, Sam also had a love for playing soccer. That hobby was put to an end his freshman year of high school when a knee injury stopped him from being able to play. While he was going through rehab for his knee, he picked up his guitar and started to play again. He had not really thought about making a career out of music until he carried his guitar to school his junior year of high school. He ended up singing for Kristin Adams’ last period English class at Hudson High School. Mrs. Adams and all of Sam’s fellow classmates immediately recognized his talent, and playing around school became a regular event. Everyone finally convinced him to play an open mic night at Banita Creek Hall in Nacogdoches, Texas one Wednesday night. The owner of the venue, Kevin White, heard Sam and loved his sound. He was asked to come back the next night to play his own set.

One of the songs Sam recorded in Nashville was his current single, “I’ll Hold On To You.” It’s a song about what is important in life with some great steel guitar. The song starts off with the lyrics, “Just a bottle of wine, that’s all we need,” which sets the laidback mood of the song from the beginning. Justin Chance and Zach Maberry wrote the song about Justin’s girlfriend and shared it with Sam. Sam fell in love with the song, and the three came together to make the song what it is today. Sam chose this to be his f irst single because his fans have really connected to the song.

Sam says, “The dream is to be able to play music for a living.” He does not have to be the biggest star on the planet to be happy; he just wants to be able to share his music with people that enjoy it. He is having a blast building his career by playing anywhere that will let him on the stage and writing songs to build his catalog. Currently, Sam is pursuing a degree in Marketing at Stephen F. Austin State University, while also playing shows locally at venues such as Banita Creek Hall, Ralph & Kacoos, and Jim Ann’s, and somehow still f inds time to hunt and f ish when in-season. He cannot wait to graduate from SFA so that he can begin pursuing his music career full time.

Sam’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/SamShupakMusic Sam’s Twitter: @SamShupak If you have any questions about booking Sam for your venue or event, please contact Kaitlin Harper: kaitlindianne@gmail.com

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DO YOU KNOW DANNY MERRELL? LEGACY

Twenty Things You Might Not Know about Your Friend in the Radio As the vibrant, funny radio DJ for KICKS 105, The Country Leader, you likely know the voice of Danny Merrell. And because of his many appearances at community events, you are likely to know his face, too. Merrell is a local celebrity with a lot of influence, and those closest to him characterize him as the hardest working man they know.

Danny is someone who knows everything from country music, to weather, to sports, and community service.

Born in the BBQ Capital of Texas, Danny is a proud native Texan hailing from Lockhart, but he’s called east Texas home for the past 25 years. Danny and his wife, Glenda, will celebrate twenty years of marriage this year and are proud of their three great kids, Chandler (18), Chase (13), and Cullen (9). Merrell loves them beyond all distraction, but also credits them with his premature balding and graying. He has been in the radio business since 1979 and says he loves radio because he doesn’t have to grow-up.

His idea of a perfect day would be watching nothing but Disney movies, saying, “Bring on the popcorn!”

Since he is a familiar part of east Texans’ lives each week, many think they know just about all there is to know about their friend in the radio, Danny Merrell.

However, TJ Mag & Co. asked Danny to share ten lesser-known things about himself. Here is what he said.

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Ten things you might not know about popular DJ, Danny Merrell:

1

I was crowned Little Mr. Lockhart in 1970 as a 6 year old, thanks to my impersonation of comedian Flip Wilson. (I think I still hold that title since they haven’t had another pageant since.)

2

I am the coliseum p.a. announcer for the SFA basketball and the stadium announcer for SFA football.

3

I like to do impersonations. Two of my best are Stitch (Disney) and Elmo (Sesame Street).

4

I went to UT-Austin and Texas A&M, majoring in meteorology. Which school do I cheer for? SFA, of course.

5

When I retire, I want to work part time at Disney World. I just want to be this friendly old guy that does voices and makes people laugh.

6

While pregnant, my mom and all relatives thought for sure that I was going to be a girl. Many pink clothes were bought for me. I was supposed to be Danielle.

7

My first radio job was doing play-by-play for a Little League baseball game. I was 12 and did the broadcast on top of a station wagon.

8

I used to be a country dance instructor (two-step and jitterbug).

9

I won a school talent show in 5th grade singing a Marty Robbins song. It turned into a comedic act when I began swatting at a fly that was bothering me.

10

I try my best not to worry and stress, and just let my faith guide me. Matthew 6:26

Danny wouldn’t dare toot his own horn by telling all the ways he is involved in supporting the community he loves.

However, TJ Mag & Co. wants to highlight just a few of the ways Merrell is not only a hometown celebrity, but a hometown hero. Below is a list of just ten of the ways he contributes to the success of community projects, events, fund raisers, and celebrations.

11 | M.C. for the Pineywoods Cattle Baron’s Gala.

12 | M.C. and provide music/sound for Angelina Expo Party and Nacogdoches Chamber “Alive After Five” rodeo mixer .

13 | On air for 26 hours over two days for the St. Jude Radiothon.

14 | Guest Number Caller at the Harold’s House Purse Bingo.

15 | DJ several times a year at Banita Creek Hall with Danny Merrell’s Dance Hall Saturday Nights.

16 | M.C. at Bayou Bash for St Cyprian’s School and Huntington ISD’s yearly Veteran’s Day tribute.

17 | Play by play for Nacogdoches Dragon football and Huntington Softball playoffs.

18 | Coordinator for Pom Squad/Dance Team competition at Texas Forest Festival.

19 | M.C. for Hushpuppy Championships at Texas Forest Festival and Lufkin High School Project Celebration.

20 | Involved with Big Bass Splash on Rayburn and Toledo Bend, Dr. Bill Shelton’s Totally

Awesome Fishing Adventure, Angelina Benefit Rodeo, Nacogdoches Rodeo, Pineywoods Fair, Angelina County Fair, Red Ribbon All-Stars, Freedom Fest in Nacogdoches, Toys for Tots, Nine Flags Festival Christmas Parade.

From the ways Danny Merrell serves the people of his hometown area, one can’t help but know his kind heart.

Beyond the radio voice, the friendly weather warnings, the exciting call of local teams, and the hilarious antics, Danny Merrell offers an example for east Texans. It is an example of fun, faith and faithfulness, an example we are all lucky to know.

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TROPHY ROOM

TROPHY HUNTS

Send a photo of your trophy hunt & information to photos@tjmag.com.

Submissions are free of charge.

Dale Bounds with the National Wheelin Sportsman Award. The Pineywoods, April AWOL and Gulf Coast NWTF Chapters shared the award. This group has won this award for the second time in the last 4 years.

NWTF- Senior VP of Volunteer Operations and Field Operations, Dave Mahlke, and Chief Conservation Officer, Dr. James Earl Kennamer, present Dale Bounds with the top Wheelin Sportsman Award at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville. Dale accepted this award on behalf of the NWTF partners chapters.

Cooper Horton went hunting with his dad, Rayburn Horton, and granddad, Danny Havard, in Jan 2014 on their Neches River lease.

Jake Knight killed this 143 inch 10 point in December 2013 in Polk County. Jake is the son of Bobby and Jessica Knight and Cindy and Heath Foust.

86 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014

Jonathan Gerland caught these bass at Lake Sam Rayburn during the Saturday Anglers Bass Club’s March tournament.

The stringer weighed 22.8 pounds.

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88 • THE JOURNEY • APRIL2014