East Sept 2012

Ross Motorsports, Inc. | 1003 N. Timberland Drive | Lufkin, TX 75901 2 | EAST - September 2012(936) 634-6711 | Fax: (936) 639-5420 | Toll Free Phone: 800-627-3050 Phone:

SEPTEMBER 2012

PHOTO BY LISA CROW

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THE SPORTSMAN Lufkin Little League

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COACH’S SPOTLIGHT Coach Quick

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4-H The 411 on 4-H

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PINEYWOODS TO KYLE FIELD Hunter Cook

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NEXT LEVEL Eddy Furniss

20 Stephanie Oliver President

CONTRIBUTORS Jeff Awtrey

Beth Johnson editor@tjmag.com Managing Editor

DISTRIBUTORS Lisa Crow Janet Glover Jared Thompson

Kim Iribarren kim@tjmag.com Director of Sales Terry Campbell office@tjmag.com Office Manager/Accountant Macy Haffey Layout and Design Lisa Crow lisacrowphotography@gmail.com www.lisacrowphotography.com Event Photographer

A PIECE OF HISTORY Dr. Neal Naranjo CONTACT US:

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MAILING: P O B ox 1 5 0 5 37 L u f k i n , Texa s 759 1 5

TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE Rocky’s Rub

P H YS I CA L : 1 1 5 E . S h e p h e rd L u f k i n , Texa s 759 0 1

BUCK CONTEST

936-634-7188 editor@eastmensmagazine.com

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TROPHY ROOM Trophy Hunts

LUFKIN LITTLE LEAGUE EAST TEXAS FOOT ASSOCIATES

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any are familiar with the Little League World Series. It is a well televised event on ESPN. This year, the City of Lufkin joined the league for the first time. As the time drew near, the city picked the All-Star team that would represent Lufkin to move into the Little League World Series Tournament.

“The city chose the players. How it traditionally works is the head coach of the winning team for the league goes on to be the All-Star coach. He could not coach the team through the summer, so that is how I came on board,” said Coach Freeland.

He was excited to take on this dream with these boys. “This is a dream every little boy has!”

Lufkin Little League team played their first game June 15 th and their last game August 9th for a total of seventeen games. It has been rumored that there has not been a team to have entered Little League the first year and made it that far in the World Series Tournament. Whether that is true or not, it is obvious the city and the region was proud to see East Texas represented so well!

Coach Freeland admits that he had that feeling these boys could do it. “I called a good friend of mine that I played little league with and told him, I have a feeling we have a chance of making Southwest Regional’s! My friend gave me a hard time and joked and said, ‘Ok, I will be watching for yall.’”

Great job guys! You have made us all proud. We support Lufkin Little League Baseball.

EAST TEXAS FOOT ASSOCIATES 200 South John Redditt Dr • (936)632-5252 • (936)559-1700

Dr. Clint Warren • Dr. Ed Sharrer • Dr. Jason Reel • Dr. Mark Sowelleastmensmagazine.com Serving patients in Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Livingston, Carthage, Hemphill, Trinity, Crockett, Jasper, Center and San Augustine

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LUFKIN LITTLE LEAGUE

THE SPORTSMAN /// CONTINUED

Of course they would have loved to have had all twelve players all the way, but that gave them a little more fight. “I think they rallied together and gave them a lot of fight to show that they were the underdogs. They wanted to show everyone what they were made of.”

EAST TEXAS FOOT ASSOCIATES

A pivotal moment for the team was their second to last game against Louisiana. “Everywhere we went; people were talking to us like Louisiana was going to win it. It was already theirs. I just kept telling the boys that we have something they have never seen before. Don’t listen to anybody! Just go out there and do what you do best!”

Those aspirations were a fight from the beginning. The District Tournament went 11 innings and Lufkin did not win it until the bottom of the 11th inning. “That was an exciting game for our team!

Different time’s different boys stepped up to be the hero. I saw it in that game and it continued throughout the remaining seventeen games we played.”

The team also had a few setbacks but the boys did not let them slow them down any. They had to keep moving forward. “We started the tournament with 12 players. After the second game we lost our first player, Cade Graves due to paperwork. At the state tournament we lost our second player. And at the Southwest Regional, we lost our third player.”

There were so many calls and plays everyone wanted to know the inside of what was going on. The pitching limitations in Little League always play a factor; the number of pitches thrown and the ineligibility limitations. During the Colorado game, all that came to the forefront. Coach Freeland said,” It was one of those game and one of those moments that could have gone either way. I wanted to pull him to save him for our next game. But I always didn’t want to change the momentum. But, the minute that they kept their ace in, Norris, that made the decision for us. I had to keep Ethan Jacobs in even if he would be ineligible for the next game.”

The City of Lufkin was so proud and on the edge of their seats.

Cheering and rooting for this amazing group of boys. To see Lufkin represented on ESPN made everyone proud. One local commentator, Gary Ivins, “Big Nasty”, called the play by play on Q107. Ivins said, “This excitement was up there with the trip to Austin with the Lufkin Panthers in 2009 and Coach Outlaw’s 300th win. I think because this team came into the Little League and made it look so easy; Lufkin will just expect this. I don’t think Lufkin realizes how good these boys were. My guess is another 10-15 years before we make it this far again.”

Great job guys! You have made us all proud. We support Lufkin Little League Baseball.

EAST TEXAS FOOT ASSOCIATES 200 South John Redditt Dr • (936)632-5252 • (936)559-1700

Dr. Clint Warren • Dr. Ed Sharrer • Dr. Jason Reel • Dr. Mark Sowell Serving patients in Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Livingston, Carthage, Hemphill, Trinity, Crockett, Jasper, Center and San Augustine

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eastmensmagazine.com 7

COACH QUICK AAA TROPHY T-SHIRT & SPORT SHOP Todd Quick grew up in Malvern, Arkansas. He wore the same shoes as the boys he is coaching today, he played football and ran track as a high school student. Then later went to play at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia where he graduated in 1984.

Quick’s path first crossed with Coach John Outlaw during the 1979 football season. He was on the field for his high school while Coach Outlaw was coaching the opposing team in the semifinals.

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he glitz and excitement from Friday night lights does not just happen the week before. There is a lot of preparation that the Athletic Director takes on before August ever rolls around.

Coach Todd Quick holds that position as the new 2012-2013 Lufkin High School Athletic Director. He is filling the shoes of a man that was cherished by so many, Coach John Outlaw. There is no doubt why Quick was by the side of Outlaw for so many years and why this year it is Coach Todd Quick who will lead the Lufkin Panthers on the field.

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After Quick graduated college, he worked at the college as a graduate assistant for two years. Quick remembers, “I knew I only had two years, and that time was quickly fading. I worked part-time at a local convenient store during those two years. Coach Outlaw would come in every Sunday morning to grab a paper. Every Sunday morning I would ask, ‘Have any positions open?’ Every Sunday morning he would reply, ‘Not this week.”

That continued for quite some time. Then one Sunday morning, that answered changed.

Quick vividly remembers when that answer was, “Come see me on Monday.” That Sunday he didn’t say no, and that year Quick started on Outlaw’s high school coaching staff. In 1986, Todd Quick began working at Arkadelphia High School alongside Coach John Outlaw.

Twenty-six years later, he followed him in every move. Hence, where he is today, Lufkin, Texas.

All that groundwork, friendship and teamwork was laid for this very

COACH QUICK

COACH QUICK /// COACH’S SPOTLIGHT

AAA TROPHY T-SHIRT & SPORT SHOP year and season. For Coach Todd Quick, he is not taking the place of Outlaw, but just continuing what they did so well for the last twenty-six years.

“I always saw what he [Outlaw] did, not only for the kids, but for the coaches, their wives, and their families. That is what I hope I am able to continue,” said Quick. According to some of his coaches, Quick is off on the right foot. Brooke Stafford says, “The two most influential men in my life are Coach Outlaw and Coach Quick.

Coach Quick shows me everyday how to be a good father, a good husband, and a great coach. This pressure of this season is not necessarily about wins or losses, but making Coach Outlaw proud.

The coaches and players want to do well for Outlaw and for Coach Quick.” Another assistant coach Matt Knight said, “We have all tried to emulate his work ethic on a day to day basis. He has been a leader and mentor to all of us.”

Quick states, “My new role as Athletic Director is a lot different than an assistant coach. There is a lot more individual interaction, phone calls, communication with the community and media. I am trying to figure my way through and do the best I can.”

For this year’s season, Quick and his coaching staff are ready to take the field. They have had a lot of preparation, both mentally and physically, getting themselves and the kids ready. According to Quick, “We are ready to set out for the goal we want to achieve.

All we can do and all we can ask of the kids is to get better every week. You never know what you are in for. Sixteen, seventeen and eighteen year olds are still sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen year olds at the end of the day. You just never know. What I make sure of is that they are carrying on the Lufkin Panther tradition and representing Lufkin in a positive way. That is what we can control.”

Coach Quick carries a huge role as a leader to many individuals: coaches, teachers, students, and players. But at the end of the day, his most cherished role is that of husband to his wife, Cheri, and father to his two sons, Gunnar and Max.

eastmensmagazine.com 9

HUNT STONE THE JOURNEY INTERVIEWS OWNER, HAL HUNT

LET US ROCK YOUR WORLD!!!

What is the increased development in the usage of manufactured stone?

Everybody seems to be leaning towards green products and “earthy, natural” looks. Major companies that have been recently built in our own community are using it, i.e. Cheddars, Chili’s, and Olive Gardens.

What makes Manufactured Stone Veneer unique?

It can be installed over almost any surface and you have such a wide variety of styles and colors. There’s Cobble Stone, Field Stone, Ledge Stone or River Rock!

What is Manufactured Stone?

Manufactured Stone is made from Portland cement, light weight aggregate and iron oxide dyes. It is cast into rubberized type molds made from real stone.

Do you make it here?

Yes! We manufacture it in Lufkin, Texas. We have the molds, materials and the resources to make all the product right here on our premises. This gives us the flexibility to do custom colors and blends that you can’t get with other manufacturers or natural stones.

Ok, so a person can come in and choose their own color and blend?

As I stated earlier, the advantage of manufactured stone is that you have a larger color and stone style selection than you do with natural stone. For instance, different parts of the country offer different colors of natural stone, but we don’t have access to them or the freight cost is inhibiting. We have several styles and colors already displayed on our walls as examples of our standard products.

Where can you apply this stone?

You can apply manufactured stone to most surfaces. It applies easily to wood structure, metal buildings, and brick.

Can you do any special effects?

Yes, we can inset special effects such as keystones, brick ribbons, the Texas Star, Horse Shoes or personalized cut outs, ie initials, house numbers, etc.

How far will you travel to apply Manufactured Stone?

As far as your money will take us! Recently, we did an astronauts home near the Houston NASA Space Center!

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901 Ellen Trout Drive / Lufkin, TX 75904

& FIREPLACE LET US FIRE YOU UP!!!

Tell me about Wood Burning Stoves?

A wood-burning stove is a surprise to most people as they are considered a green appliance. They are extremely clean burning and efficient. As a matter of fact, the least expensive way to heat your home is with a wood burning stove or an insert. Wood in this area is very inexpensive. Sometimes it’s free if you want to cut it yourself. An advantage of the high-efficiency wood-burning stove is that you use a quarter of the amount of wood and get ten times more heat out of the appliance than you would in a traditional open fire place. I can heat my whole showroom for $350 for the entire winter with a wood-burning stove. These appliances burn so clean that you won’t have the smell you have with an open fireplace, which a lot of women DO NOT like; such as the creosote smell which comes down in the summer because of humidity.

How hard are they to install?

Like anything else, a freestanding stove is an appliance that needs to be installed properly. Some people try to install stoves or fireplaces themselves. I really don’t recommend this. We do installations. I am NFI Certified (National Fireplace Institute). As far as I know, I am the only one within a 90 mile radius of Lufkin that is certified. When you’re putting a fireplace or a wood-burning stove in your home, you are dealing with FIRE! Therefore, safety is priority to us. I will not use cheap chimney or stovepipe to save money. I only use the highest quality. If I won’t install it in my house…I won’t install it in yours.

Can you put a stove anywhere?

Sometimes the roof structure dictates where it has to go. But it can go almost anywhere as long as there is no structure above it that’s a hindrance to putting the pipe in properly.

How do I find out more about this?

Come into our showroom and take a look at the stoves and fireplaces. Bring a drawing of your floor plan; take pictures of the Living room or space inside where you want it installed. Be sure you bring a picture of the outside so we can see your roofline. At that point, we may need to inspect your home.

Is there anything else that you would like for our readers to know?

We also have wood-burning fireplaces that have the look of a traditional fireplace, but have the high efficiency of the woodburning stoves. In addition, we have gas fireplaces that are extremely efficient and look extraordinarily realistic. We also sell and install gas logs that are very popular.

936.699.FIRE (3473) / HuntStoneProducts.com

THE 411 ON 4-H brought to you by

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WHAT IS 4-H ALL ABOUT?

4-H TRADITIONS

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is about having fun, learning, exploring and discovering.

In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities.

The History of the 4-H Clover and Emblem

More than 65,000 Texas youth are enrolled members of 4-H community clubs in Texas. Another 850,000 Texas youth get involved in 4-H through special educational opportunities at school, in after school programs, or at neighborhood or youth centers.

These youth live in cities, suburbs, small towns and rural communities.

4-H gives them a chance to pursue their own interests – from photography to computers, from building rockets to raising sheep. A list of 4-H projects is available online. They go places – to camp, to state and national conferences. They learn to be leaders and active citizens.

In 4-H clubs, they serve as officers and learn to conduct meetings, handle club funds, and facilitate group decision-making. In a growing number of communities, 4-H youth serve as youth representatives in municipal or county government or as members of Teen Courts. They give back to their communities. 4-H members get involved in volunteer projects to protect the environment, mentor younger children and help people who are less fortunate.

The first 4-H emblem was a three-leaf clover, introduced sometime between 1907 and 1908. The three “H’s” represented head, heart and hands. In 1911, at a meeting of club leaders in Washington, a fourth “H” representing health was added and the current 4-H four-leaf clover emblem was approved. It is protected by the U.S. Congress. More information on Clover logo usage is available.

The 4-H pledge was worded by Otis Hall, Kansas state 4-H leader. It was approved at the first National 4-H Club Camp in 1927 in Washington, D.C. The words “my world” were added to the pledge in 1973. Their addition is the only change ever made to the 4-H pledge.

HEAD stands for clearer thinking and decision-making. Knowledge that is useful throughout life.

HEART stands for greater loyalty, strong personal values, positive self concept, concern for others.

HANDS stands for larger service, workforce preparedness, useful skills, science and technology literacy.

HEALTH stands for better living, healthy lifestyles.

100 Regal Row • Lufkin, TX 75904 • (936) 634-6726

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340 Parks Circle Lufkin, TX 75904

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HUNTER COOK /// PINEYWOODS TO KYLE FIELD

FIGHTIN’ TEXAS AGGIE YELL LEADER during my sophomore year, so I was unable to return to the court. However, I believe the biggest honor and privilege for me will be to serve TAMU as a Yell Leader this year.”

Sunday school teachers, campus advisers, parents and numerous others, have played a role in the person I have become. I have learned to remain humble and thankful, as life has a way of throwing curves. One of the biggest role models in my life was For many of those not familiar with the my cousin, Zac Cook. Zac’s legacy duties of a Yell Leader, it is a huge honor continues to impact me on a daily basis. and tradition for the student body at Texas He taught me to always treat others with A&M. The five yell leaders are voted on respect, no matter their situation. Through by the student body. Yell Leaders attend his life and , ultimately his death, I learned all home and away football games, all you can make a great impact on the lives home basketball games, all home volleyball of others and you may not even know it! games, all home soccer matches and post Since his passing, I have committed myself season football, basketball, and volleyball. to be a positive role model for others and They also attend Aggie Mothers’ Clubs make a difference to the world around me.” events, Fish Camp and other events the university deems appropriate. Cook states, “A Yell Leader’s main purpose is to promote and perpetuate the Aggie Spirit.”

exas A&M is a familiar territory to many East Texas families.

This year, it may feel a little more like home to see one of East Texas’ own on Kyle Field. This fall, Hunter Cook will make his debut as one of the five Texas A&M yell leader.

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This year, Texas A&M will share the same traditions with new schools and rivalries. “The campus is electric with excitement since entering the SEC. Sports Passes were purchased in abundance by students in anticipation of the exciting new year. I look forward to the opportunity to serve my school by sharing our rich history and traditions with the SEC and giving them a glimpse of the awesome 12th Man,” says Cook.

Cook is a 2010 graduate from Huntington High School. He joined the ranks of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2014 as a Construction Science major, and thanks to his older cousins, they influenced his membership to the Corps of Cadets as a freshman. He explains, “My ‘fish year’ was full of fun and a lot of hard work as a member of Company D-1.” Since that first year, he has been very busy, with his shirt sleeves rolled up. Cook remembers, “I had the opportunity to play on the Corps of Cadets basketball team, and I was honored to receive the award for “Outstanding Fish” of Company D-1 my freshman year. I was a Fish Camp Counselor, and I was chosen to serve as Guidon Bearer for my outfit

There is no doubt that Hunter Cook carries strong leadership qualities ,and that is why he is where he is today. These qualities have been gained through the series of his life events with his family, high school, first two years of college, and many life lessons. “My life experiences have taught me some great lessons. I have learned there is a big difference in a friend and an acquaintance. I am blessed to know I have some great friends that will come to help me in a moment’s notice. I have had the opportunity to be influenced by some wise people in my life and have learned to always repay good deeds and not take anyone or any day for granted. I realize many people, including teachers, coaches,

Hunter encourages those new students to close the door on those high school years and leave them at home. “Show up ready to learn, meet new people, get involved, give back, and have fun.” eastmensmagazine.com 15

Owner: Bo Miller PO Box 632134 • Nacogdoches, TX 75963 (936) 462-3679 • http://scorpionservices.us 16 | EAST - September 2012

EDDY FURNISS /// NEXT LEVEL

EDDY

FURNISS “When I visited LSU, I felt connection to the players,” Furniss said. “They were good students and civic minded. I felt a sense of camaraderie and sense of team.

And the fans were different as well. They were really avid.”

Furniss explained LSU had already won a couple national championships recently and thought there was a chance of winning more.

“And we did,” he said.

While there’s no “I” in team, Furniss can take a good part of the credit for his team’s success.

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hen the film, “Moneyball” was released in 2011, the mainstream learned about a different brand of baseball, one which changed the way the game was played. A Nacogdoches native was part of the moneyball plan.

Funny thing is, he didn’t even know that until he saw the movie 10 years later.

Eddy Furniss grew up in Nacogdoches and was a hot prospect when he graduated in 1994.

“It was a nice quiet place to grow up,” Furniss said. “I had a lot of friends and played a lot of baseball. Not a week that went by that I didn’t hit a baseball. This was before select ball was common.”

Furniss explains he always practiced hitting. Someone was always pitching to him and he was hitting. It’s something for which Furniss later became well-known, just hitting the ball.

Furniss decided in his senior year to take his baseball career to LSU, a perennial powerhouse in college baseball.

He finished his career as the Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in hits, home runs, RBI, doubles and total bases. He’s even in the top five nationally in some of those categories.

Furniss earned the Dick Howser Trophy in 1998 -- the award to the national player of the year. That followed consecutive national championships in 1996 and 1997.

Most student athletes are fine with that.

But Furniss excelled in class too, being named as an academic all-American twice, setting himself up for medical school as a backup plan.

But first, Furniss went for Plan-A. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the fourth round of the 1998 Major League Draft. And so began a four-year career in the minors. Most would assume being paid to play baseball would be the dream job, no matter where it was.

“Playing at LSU was fun,” Furniss said.

“Minor league baseball is not fun. And I’ve talked to big leaguers about it and they agree. If anyone says it’s fun, I’d

eastmensmagazine.com 17

BY JEFF AWTREY

question their sanity.”

Furniss explained the transition from LSU’s packed stadiums to low-grade fields and uniforms was rough.

“Plus you just run into players who don’t give a care,” he said. “They don’t care how the teams do because we’re all just trying to get to the big leagues.”

Furniss saw himself traded to the Oakland A’s organization in 2001. The move seemed insignificant at the time, but some saw what the intention of General Manager Billy Beane was doing in 2003, when the book “Moneyball” was released.

Beane had discovered a way around the traditional evaluation of players. Beane decided to sacrifice good fielders and basestealers for power hitters and guys who knew how to get on base. And Furniss fit the mold perfectly.

Furniss, who admitted that he couldn’t run or field, realized when he saw the bookturned-film in 2011, that Beane sought him out because he knew how to get on base.

“I didn’t understand why I was taken by the A’s, but after seeing ‘Moneyball,’ I saw I got on base,” Furniss said. “I went to the A’s and had the best season I had in baseball.”

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He explains he had another skill the moneyball folks craved: the ability to draw walks. Many seasons in the minors, Furniss produced nearly a one-to-one ratio of walks to strikeouts.

But Furniss decided in 2002 that four years in the minors was enough.

“I told myself before I went to the pros that if I was ever stuck at one level for two years, it was time to get out,” he said.

And so began the unlikely path from pro baseball player to doctor. Furniss quit baseball in 2002 and went into medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he graduated in 2007. In 2010, he graduated from residency at a hospital in Fort Worth and he moved back to Nacogdoches to start his own practice.

Today, Furniss practices medicine along with his father in Nacogdoches. The town many high-schoolers term “Naco-nowhere” is one Furniss couldn’t wait to get back to.

“I didn’t realize how nice it was to not have traffic and not have to lock my car door at night,” he said.

All along the way, Furniss has had his wife, Crystal, by his side. The two were high-

school sweethearts, and Crystal followed him to LSU, and all along the way through the minor leagues and residency.

“She made it possible for me to play baseball,” Furniss said. “She put up with me in medical school and stayed up all the night all the time. We’re just now spending time together. It was difficult for her, but she does everything for the family and works a lot harder than me.”

REBECCA C. BRIGHTWELL

FAMILY LAW • OIL & GAS • ESTATE & PROBATE Rebecca C. Brightwell, PLLC | Attorney at Law 115 Gaslight Blvd, Ste B | Lufkin, TX 75904 | 936-639-2550 Not Certified by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization | Licensed by The Southern and Eastern District Federal Court

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ore than forty years ago, an exciting new world opened up for Neal Naranjo as he entered his first semester of college at the The University of Texas. That semester, he took Physical Anthropology. His curiosity of digging and finding archeology and artifacts has not stopped since.

In Austin, the landscape is a hub for archeology. “You can find things everywhere, all sorts of fossils and rocks. If you search for an hour, you can find a good amount of fossils,” says Naranjo.

Professors would set up digs for the students to get the hands on experience of Physical Anthropology. “That is how I learned and got started. Anytime there was a dig, I was there!”

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Forty years later, he is still digging. Many of his digs, and most prominent finds, have been in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Montana, and South Dakota. In that time, Naranjo has found some pretty remarkable treasures. Over the years, the level of spectacular finds has changed. Ten years ago he found Tyrannosaurus Rex. Five years ago, he found a Dimetrodon. His most recent find is also named his most spectacular, a 30-foot-long Hadrosaur named after his wife, “Mary Anne.”

Naranjo said, “Mary Anne is a very special specimen for several reasons. Her skin and tendons were mummified along with her bones, and she is the first Hadrosaur ever discovered to have hooves. Those attributes have earned the dinosaur a lot of attention from the scientific community.” According to the Naranjo Museum website, the fossilized skeleton is 90% complete, with the outstanding features being the two hoofs and skin impressions on the right foot and the skin impression along the length of the tail. The arms, legs, spine pelvic area and tail were fully encapsulated by iron encrustation, thus preserving the skeleton totally intact. She is thought to be one of the most complete specimens ever found. All of the spines and chevrons associated with the vertebra were intact. Mary Ann Hadrosaur is 30 feet long and 20 feet tall.

Being a sixth generation Lufkinite, schools picked up on his extraordinary hobby. “I have been asked many times to come and speak to kids at different schools. Having a museum was always an idea, but not a ‘real’ one until about five years ago. I finally realized that hauling a lot of the fossils and artifacts was too cumbersome; I knew it was time to make a space available for all of this.”

That is when Dr. Neal and Mary Ann Naranjo began working on a museum that could hold and display many of the artifacts found to date. The work has paid off. The Naranjo Museum of Natural History will open its doors September 8, 2012.

DR. NEAL NARANJO /// A PIECE OF HISTORY Dr. Naranjo is excited to have a local museum for the Lufkin area and surrounding communities to come visit without having to drive 90 miles to see a quality exhibit. Now his only fear? “Running out of room for future finds.”

To learn more about the Museum, visit www.naranjomuseum.org

eastmensmagazine.com 21

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ROCKY’S RUB /// TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE

ROCKY’S RUB hobby, he always enjoyed participating.

Well, this year, he brought his rub and gave it to some of the guys who were cooking.

After that cookout, the requests for his rubs were more than he could handle.

Rocky did a little research and found out how to get his rub made commercially. It has been a little over a year since Rocky’s Rub hit the market, and now there are hot and mild versions, along with three different sizes available.

“This was never in my plans. There has definitely been a lot of learning involved.

I have had to so much about the grocery business,” said Thompson.

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here are some people who have big dreams of owning their own business one day. The ones that are lucky get to do what they love and enjoy, and it eventually turns into a business. For Rocky Thompson, the latter is exactly what happened.

When you ask Rocky about “Rocky’s Rub,” it has been something that he has enjoyed and has made for twenty plus years. He has always liked cooking for the family. One of his tricks that he always kept in his back pocket was a rub that he made for his ribs.

Gradually, he started using it on other things he made. Rocky explains, “I liked my rub, so I used it a lot. Then I would set it aside and not use it anymore. I would start using different ones I could find. But over time, I would always come back to mine.”

Over the years, he would give his rub out as gifts for different occasions. Then, those people and some others would come back and ask for more. Last year, a big surge in requests came in. Morrison Supply always holds a big cookout around Father’s Day every year, and since cooking was his

Rocky stocks the shelves and hand delivers his own product to his customers. You can find Rocky’s Rub at many of the Brookshire Brothers locations. Bodacious BarBQue in Lufkin cooks with it and Deans Meat Market in Huntington, La Unica, and Fuller’s Buffet have it on their tables.

He mainly uses it in cooking, but Rocky said he has heard people use it on all kinds of food: steamed veggies, popcorn, turnip greens. “My granddaughter has her own unique way of using it. She pours it on her goldfish. I love hearing all the different ways people use it. I am happy people enjoy it!”

eastmensmagazine.com 23

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3rd through

CONTEST aim to win.

The contest is FREE to enter! All you need to do is sign up at one of our sponsoring locations, and you are “in”. Registration sign up will run from September 3rd 2012 – Jan 4th, 2013.

Bucks must be taken in Angelina, Nacogdoches, Polk, Houston, Panola, Rusk, San Augustine, Shelby, or Trinity counties of Texas, and will not be accepted if taken within or upon high fenced property. There will be one overall winner, one winner for archery division, and a youth division winner (must be 10 years old to enter).

Entries must have been taken during 2012-2013 Texas Whitetail season. This includes archery, muzzleloader, and general seasons. Contest will close at end of legal shooting hours on January 6, 2013. You must be signed up 48 hours prior to submitting buck.

Top ten entries will be scored by a panel of certified B&C and TBGAA scorers at the end of the contest. Winners will be determined by gross B&C score.

See complete official rules for contest when signing up at one of our sponsoring locations.

h January

146 Winston 8 Ranch Rd Lufkin, TX 75904 4th(936)634-7000

1406 E Starr Ave Nacogdoches, TX 75961 (936)564-5722

TROPHY ROOM /// TROPHY HUNTS

Chip Buchanan, Blake Buchanan, Griffin Salas, Bosten Oliver & Malcolm Deason attend Texas A&M Futures Baseball Camp.

Lufkin Bombers 3rd Place 7&8U City of Lufkin Summer Sizzler Tourney

Summer Sizzler Champions 8UBat Wars 7U Champions Houston, July 20/21

Summer Sizzler Champions 8UBat Wars 7U Champions Houston, July 20/21

Cooper Horton, 5 years First buck; 9 pt.

Whot on private land in Nov. 2011. Â

Hunter Reese caught a 5 lb bass on Lake Sam Rayburn.

Cooper Knight and his PawPaw, Roy Knight.

Lake Jacksonville

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

Submissions are free of charge.

26 | EAST - September 2012

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1006 S John Redditt | Lufkin, TX 75904 | (936) 639-1822

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Demontrai Lewis, 96 Lufkin High School

I was born in Huntsville, Texas. I live in Trinity, Texas. I was born deaf. My parents are Gayla and Micheal Ray Lewis. They have been together 20 years. I live with them. I have one brother, his name is Michael Ray Lewis Jr, he is 16 years old. I have one sister, her name is Tai’Qillis Lewis, she is 14 years old. We all grew up together. I started playing football in Trinity when I was 3 years old. My father taught me to play football because he played football in high school. He still helps coach me.

I go to school in Lufkin because they are the Regional Day School for the Deaf. I have played football for Lufkin since the 7th grade. I am a senior this year at LHS, class of 2013! I play defensive end at LHS. Next year I want to play college football but I have not decided where yet. I also like to play basketball with my brother, even though he likes to cheat!

CMC Recycling Proudly Sup

p o r t s O u r C o mm u n i t y

STRONG AS METAL features an outstanding high-school athlete in the community that deserves recognition.

Since 1915, Commercial Metals Company has recycled, manufactured, and marketed steel and metal products for customers worldwide.

CMC Recycling buys appliances, iron, aluminum cans, car bodies, copper, and brass. Industrial container services are also available.

Interested in selling your scrap metal?

Visit your local CMC Recycling facility at

4060 Hwy 59 North, Lufkin, Texas | 936.639.3718