Lufkin Best Magazine Charm, April 2020

CHARM EAST TEXAS

APRIL 2020 | VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4

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FROM THE EDITOR

G On the cover Photo by SG Photography Hair and makeup by Madison Warnasch Cover model Graci Fountain Dress by Junk In The Trunk Boutique Location graciously provided by John and Dianne Flowers

arth Brooks said it better than I ever could when he sang, “It’s bulls and blood; it’s dust and mud; it’s the roar of a Sunday crowd.

It’s the white in his knuckles; the gold in the buckle. He’ll win the next go ’round. It’s boots and chaps; it’s cowboy hats; it’s spurs and latigo.

It’s the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain, and they call the thing rodeo.”

As a self-proclaimed city girl, I have to say I’ve learned so much from this issue of Charm. That’s just one of the many things I love about this job: getting to learn about things I know nothing about, getting to meet interesting people with incredible stories, and then getting to share all of that with you.

One thing I’ve learned over this past month or so is that rodeo is more than just a sport. It’s a way of life. The rodeo becomes a part of you, and it has a meaningful and impactful way of bringing families together. Families like the Sullivans, who’ve lived the rodeo lifestyle in a variety of capacities throughout the years as bull and bronc riders, a rodeo judge and western wear enthusiasts (page 14).

In this issue, you’ll meet the 2020 Angelina County Benefit Rodeo Queen Claire Slatter (page 30), a former agriculture teacher who has spent the past 40 years rebuilding an old family farm (page 44), and a family who is ready to fire up the pit for Nacogdoches’ re-imagined barbecue competition (page 54). We also will take you on a trip back in time to learn more about the history of the Angelina County Benefit Rodeo, which interestingly enough, started as an all-girls rodeo event (page 24).

So whether you were riding a horse before you could walk or you know nothing about the hard work and dedication it takes to rodeo; or whether you hook up the horse trailer every weekend, heading to far off places like Tulsa, Oklahoma, or Tunica, Mississippi, or you just enjoy listening to country music crooners sing about a lifestyle you can only imagine, I hope you learn something this month, just like I did.

Much love,

Charm East Texas is published by The Lufkin Daily News and The Daily Sentinel.

No portion may be reproduced in whole in or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

The Daily Sentinel

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Jeff Pownall has worked at The Lufkin Daily News for more than 30 years, primarily designing pages for the daily paper. He is the paper’s managing editor. He has two married sons.

While he’s trying to live a quiet, simple life, his tastes could best be described as eclectic.

CHARM staff

lufkin Lance Kingrey is a graphic designer for The Lufkin Daily News and Charm art director. He holds degrees in communications and history from the University of Texas at Austin and studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City. His passions are music, travel and pugs.

Editor President & Publisher Melissa Crager editor@charmeasttexas.com 936.631.2671

Keven Todd keven.todd@lufkindailynews.com 936.631.2602

editorial advertising Art Director Lance Kingrey Leslie Nemec loves photography, interior design and is a sucker for old pieces with history. Day trippin’ is her thing. She is a state and national park junkie and hopes to conquer Yellowstone next. Her three loves are red wine, bluegrass music and Smarties.

Joel Andrews is a professional photographer with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of roles. He also enjoys watching documentaries and learning about military history.

He and his wife Pam have been married for 33 years and share a passion for movies, music and pugs.

Copy Editor Jeff Pownall

Director Tammy Kedrowicz tammy.kedrowicz@lufkindailynews.com 936.631.2630

Account Executives Writers Vanessa Durham Jacqueline Malota Debra Hughs Tim Monzingo Jenna Lenderman Photographers Brittany Mendez Joel Andrews nacogdoches Tim Monzingo Leslie Nemec Publisher Rick Craig Graphic Artists rick.craig@dailysentinel.com Jennifer Banks 936.558.3200 Megan Buckley Account Executives Uriel Vega James Allen Dumas Gabrielle Dyer

Tim Monzingo is a life-long East Texas resident and the photo editor at the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. He lives on his family’s timber farm in Nacogdoches County with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves nothing more than an afternoon in a hammock.

charmeasttexas.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1089, Lufkin, TX 75902-1089 Street Address: 300 Ellis, Lufkin, TX 75904-3817 USPS 321-820

Jacqueline Malota is the community editor for The Lufkin Daily News. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in creative writing. She loves yellow tulips, the mountains and you can usually find her at the nearest taco truck.

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CHARM APRIL 2020

Southern Newspapers Inc., doing business as The Lufkin Daily News, is published mornings daily.

Periodicals postage is paid at Lufkin, Texas.

Postmaster: Send address changes to THE LUFKIN DAILY NEWS, P.O. Box 1089, Lufkin, TX 75902-1089.

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CONTRIBUTORS 1. Angela Larson is the registered dietitian nutritionist for the MediSlim clinic in Lufkin. Delicious food is her passion, so she loves trying new recipes and exploring the more holistic side of nutrition. When she’s not helping clients get healthy and achieve their goals, she’s a mostly stay-athome mom who loves to cook, garden and spend time outdoors with her husband, Austin, and their three daughters.

2. Madison Warnasch is a licensed cosmetologist and makeup artist specializing in custom color and hand-tied hair extensions. Many clients around East Texas have been a canvas for her amazing talents, including hair design and makeup art for brides, wedding parties, quinceañeras, proms, homecoming court, photo shoots and various other special occasions. Her work can be found on Facebook and Instagram. You can schedule an appointment with her at Merle Norman Cosmetics in Lufkin or call her at (936) 240-1512 for all of your beauty needs and services.

3. Sabrina Guerrero is an East Texas photographer who specializes in senior portraits. She’s always had an eye and appreciation for photography, but after learning to use her camera, it quickly became a passion that turned into a side business, that quickly became a full-time job. In a short time she’s been featured in national senior portrait publications, as well as a London-based Model and Photography print magazine. Sabrina loves to capture real moments, reactions, expressions and interactions that capture an individual’s personality and everything that makes a person so perfectly unique. She believes there is beauty in everything and everyone. Sabrina lives in Lufkin with her husband and two children.

4. Ashton Clark is founder and stylist of the entertainment blog Sister Sage Co. After marrying her high school sweetheart and moving back to her small East Texas hometown of Center, she began looking for a creative outlet. She loves hosting and planning events, so much so that she even received a Professional Event Manager Certificate at Texas A&M University. And from that, Sister Sage Co. was born. She enjoys cooking, binge-watching HGTV and reading Southern Living magazine. Check out Sister Sage Co. today to find inspiration for your next event.

5. Gary Stallard, a former U.S. Marine, completed his bachelor’s degree at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he majored in English and journalism. Since 2006, he has served as coordinator of marketing and development, writing instructor and sports information director at Angelina College. For more than 14 years, he has worked as a sports writer/ columnist/photographer for The Lufkin Daily News. He and his wife, Susan, live in Lufkin. They have four children, six grandchildren (and counting), a dog, a cat and four grand-dogs.

6. Cary Sims is the county Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources serving Angelina County. He, his wife and their two teenage boys live on a small farm in the Clawson community. For more than 20 years, he has aided agricultural producers and homeowners alike in understanding food production and the natural processes around us.

7. Jason Hardy is an avid outdoorsman, who loves hunting, fishing and camping. He also enjoys photography and living the Jeep life on the backroads of East Texas. Jason enjoys spending time with his rather large blended family of eight kids and the woman of his dreams. Growing up in a Tom Sawyer fashion has left him with many fun stories and scars. If he is not enjoying the outdoors, you’ll find him at a live music venue or cooking in the kitchen listening to bluegrass music covers. His heroes include Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Robison and John Wayne.

8. Jackie Zimmerman opened Zimmerman Communications, a marketing and public relations firm, in 2006. With a focus on branding and strategic planning, Jackie and her team produce graphic designs of all types and advertising products, as well as provide assistance with social media, websites and promotional items to help businesses grow.

A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where she majored in communications and journalism, Jackie serves on the board of the Texas Forest Country Partnership, the United Way of Angelina County and the Angelina County Humane Society. For information about growing your business through advertising, printed materials, website, social media and other products, contact Jackie at (936) 633-6167.

9. Nicole Roberts is a lover of food and culture, which took her and her husband, Darrell and their two boys all the way over to Europe where they opened a coffee shop and bakery in Belgium. After four of the best years of their lives, they moved back to Lufkin to raise their boys closer to family. While living in Europe, Nicole changed her eating habits and fell in love with her new lifestyle. She says healthy food gets a bad rap for being too expensive, time consuming and bland. She's on a mission to change those misconceptions and inspire people to develop better eating habits.

Nicole is always happiest in the kitchen, French music playing, cutting vegetables, drizzling olive oil, twisting the pepper grinder, zesting a lemon, mincing garlic, uncorking a bottle of wine and sitting around the table sharing stories of the day with her family and friends.

10. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen, Ph.D., is a research chemist using his knowledge of natural products to develop environmentally friendly products. However, his evenings and weekends are spent guiding people back to nature’s bounty, not only teaching them which plants are edible and/or medicinal but also proselytizing how foraging heals the body, mind and soul and prepares them for the zombie apocalypse.

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contents

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IN EACH ISSUE

BEAUTY & FASHION

4 Letter from the Editor 6 Charm Staff 8 Contributors 12 Find The Charm 20 A Word from Gary Stallard 84 Events & Music

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Editor’s Picks

Cowboy Up

Equestrian Elegance

FEATURES

24 30 44

History of the ABR Q&A with the Rodeo Queen Saving the Family Farm

FOOD & DRINK 50 54

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CHARM AT HOME

Bistro Brunch DoDat BBQ

70 75 76 82

Farmhouse Fresh McWilliams & Son Building Soil DIY Coasters

HEALTHY LIVING 79 80

Pure Energy The Skinny On Fat

Experience Real Estate with a Designer s perspective.

‘

Benjamin Sullivan 936.234.0056 NACrealtor.com

Benjamin Sullivan , Realtor - Lic 527631 104 North Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961

Representing clients in Nacogdoches and Lufkin

FIND THE CHARM!

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CHARM APRIL 2020

The charm hidden in the magazine is the same color and size as the one shown here and you could win a $50 gift certificate to the Charm advertiser of your choice. It will not be hidden in an ad or on the cover. Email us at editor@ charmeasttexas.com or write to us at Charm, P.O. Box 1089, Lufkin, TX 75902 with your name and phone number and tell us where you found it. All correct entries will be entered into a drawing. The lucky winner will be announced in our next issue.

Congratulations Leah Gilbert from Center!

Leah Gilbert found the charm hidden on page 60 of the March issue. She won a $50 gift certificate to the Charm advertiser of her choice. Janice chose her gift certificate to Junk In The Trunk Boutique in Lufkin.

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CHARM APRIL 2020

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Generation to Generation

Generati to Gen s t o ry b y

MELISSA CRAGER

photo by

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JOEL ANDREWS

n the pursuit of glory — and one heck of an adrenaline rush — rodeo participants know how to push their bodies and their minds to the limit. Most of them would say riding a bucking bronco, racing barrels or hanging on to a wild bull is more than just a sport, and you’ve got be prepared to go all in.

Beyond that, the rodeo seems to connect people. It brings communities together and sets a precedent within families that can last from generation to generation.

Glenn Sullivan, now 62, began riding bulls competitively in his early 20s. He toured the country for several years, participating in three to four rodeos a week, impressing judges and hoping to win big.

Bull riding is one of the most punishing sports in the world, but it also has become the fastest growing sport in the United States. Explosive action, the unpredictability of a 2,000-pound bull and the sheer thrill of it all make a seductive combination for daredevils in 10-gallon hats.

There are few competitions that require such extreme measures of athleticism and nerves of steel.

“When the kids were younger, we went to AstroWorld and got on the Batman Escape (ride),” Sullivan said.

“It goes up, up, up, and then it gets to the very top and just sits there a minute. Then it just ‘clicks’ and falls. That moment when it sits there, right before it clicks, is as much like right before the gate opens than anything I’ve ever experienced.

“All that anticipation and adrenaline going all at one

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ion to neration

time. Once the gate opens, after a while you don’t think. You just react. It’s like everything is in slow motion.”

Preparing for that 8-second ride involves physical and mental training, finesse, fortitude and a whole lot of prayer.

It also involves a major financial investment, because unlike most major sports, when you rodeo, you have to win to get paid.

“When I was rodeoing back in the 80s, you really had to win anywhere between $600 to $1,000 that week to really break even,” Sullivan said. “You’ve gotta win. It costs a lot of money to rodeo.”

It’s true that some competitors have roped or rode their way into hefty payoffs — with the help of sponsorships and large endorsement deals — but working the rodeo circuit is primarily considered a passion over pay way of life. Even a decent competitor may not score enough to cover travel costs, entry fees and expenses each week.

So, because the more they compete, the more they win, cowboys log thousands of miles over the course of their careers.

“I was in Bay City, Texas, one night and Jacksonville, Florida, the next night. We had to drive all night long to get to Jacksonville, and when we finished that, we went back to San Angelo, Texas,” Sullivan said. “When it’s your main source of income, and you’re out there on the road, traveling like crazy, all over the place, you’re gone for long periods of time. You miss out on a lot of things. It’s got to be the main priority.

That’s what matters over everything else.”

After seven years on the road, Sullivan hung up his hat and began pursuing other dreams, like starting a family with his wife, Brenda.

“It’s hard to stay motivated doing it over and over for so many years at a time. It’s something you’ve got to be all in,” he said. “That’s the main reason we didn’t have kids before then.

A lot of guys do, and I don’t think that’s fair to be gone all the time.”

As a sanctioned judge for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for more than three decades, Sullivan gets to sit on the other side of the fence watching up-and-coming bull riders. Every so often, he quenches his competitive side and participates in team roping events.

While Sullivan said he didn’t necessarily grow up in the rodeo lifestyle, his son, Tyler, and daughter, Kaylee, most certainly did.

“It’s just something I was used to. Growing up it was normal to me,” said Tyler, who rode bareback broncs in high school and college and at times competes in the team roping event alongside his dad. “It’s definitely something you’re brought up in. It becomes second nature to you; and it’s something you don’t think about. You’re automatically involved in it when you’re brought up around it.”

“If we didn’t have anything else going on, we’d go with (dad) to the closer rodeos he was judging. I didn’t always get to go, but I always wanted to,” Kaylee said.

Kaylee is a “girly girl,” as her daddy calls her, and what she

likes most about the rodeo has nothing to do with the animals in the arena.

“I enjoyed getting into the fashion side of (the rodeo). I love that there are no ‘rules,’” Kaylee said. “I love mixing old styles or trends with new, and then adding my own twist.”

Kaylee’s love for fashion drove her and her mother, Brenda, to open the Pink Leopard, a clothing boutique in downtown Lufkin, where they surround themselves every day with the kinds of trendy, fashionable clothing Kaylee grew up loving.

In his spare time, Tyler mentors high school and junior high school students, teaching them the tricks of the rodeo trade and creating a name for himself in the bareback riding community.

“Five or six years ago, I had a kid come to me wanting to ride bareback horses,” Tyler said. “There’s not just a ton of bareback riders around anymore, much less in this part of the country, so I took that on and that relationship grew. When he became successful, more and more people started reaching out to me. It’s gone from there.”

That kid is 18-year-old Kolt Dement, a wildly talented rider from Rusk, who rose in the Texas Region 5 High School Rodeo Association ranks and claimed the 2019 Texas Bareback Bronc Riding Championship title this past summer.

Tyler’s wife Lacey, who serves as the sponsorship coordinator for the Rose City Round Up, a PRCA rodeo event in Tyler, said over the years they have created a tight-knit community among the members of the Texas Region 5 rodeo families, and they consider Kolt as one of their own.

“He’s been with us since he was 11 years old. His dad passed away, and he never had that father figure in his life, so Tyler is like that for him. We have been at nearly every rodeo he’s ever entered in,” Lacey said. “Because of that we get to see a lot of places and meet a lot of people, and those people have become like family.”

For Tyler and Lacey’s 2-year-old son, Sloan, with his miniature cowboy hat and denim jeans, the rodeo is already a big part of his life.

“We are literally at a rodeo every weekend with Kolt and have been most of Sloan’s life, and even before then. He is always in the arena, in the dirt, in the grandstands. That’s all he knows,” Lacey said.

After all the travel. All the expense and hard work. The time spent on the road. The blood, the bruises, the sweat and the tears. The Sullivans agree it’s all worth it.

The rodeo certainly has affected their lives in a variety of ways, but as they raise future generations to don Stetson hats, pearl-snapped shirts and scuffed up boots, it’s not about the glory, the fashion or the fame. It’s about making certain the sport — and the life — they love lives on.

“I just want to give back to the sport. To help kids who are interested. It’s kind of a dying breed. There aren’t that many kids who are interested,” Tyler said. “So if there is one, I’ll give back and show them what I know about it ... just like someone did for me.”

Generati to Gen 16

CHARM APRIL 2020

ion to neration “All that anticipation and adrenaline going all at one time. Once the gate opens, after a while you don’t think. You just react. It’s like everything is in slow motion .”

- Glenn Sullivan

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A WORD FROM GARY STALLARD

“D

id we try riding other animals, or did we just stop when we figured out horses were cool with it?”

I found this deep, thought-provoking query where I find all my other deep, thought-provoking stuff: on social media.

Some super-sleuth work on my part led me to a startling discovery.

No, we did not stop with horses. We humans will ride anything with legs.

Face it. We can get a little lazy at times. I’ll hop in my truck for a quarter-mile trip to the store to pick up some milk instead of walking. On some days, I’d probably drive to my mailbox at the end of the driveway. Such is the era of convenience.

But what did people do before we put motors on wheels?

We rode stuff, of course.

In the parts of history before taxis and Uber, mankind found a way to avoid walking. Guys probably hopped on their buddies for piggyback rides before attempting to steer a four-legged creature around where he wanted to go. I’m sure there was plenty of experimenting with exactly which beasts of burden wouldn’t turn the tables and decide to ride us instead.

I guess it’s a good thing humans didn’t exist at the same time as dinosaurs. For danged sure we would have wanted to ride a T-Rex. What’s he gonna do with those short arms?

Reach around and slap us off his back?

And Bubba would have been the first to ride a triceratops.

Forget those brush-guards on the front of a pickup or fourwheel drive kits. Ol’ T-Top was gonna git ’r done.

A little digging on my part unveiled our never-ending search for an easier way to get from Point A to Point B. Way back in 280 B.C. King Pyrrhus of Epirus used elephants he borrowed from another king to attack the Roman army.

Can you imagine being one of the poor slobs in the Roman infantry? You’re expecting to fight another dude man-toman and bro shows up on a frigging elephant instead? No wonder they wore britches with flaps on the back.

I got to ride an elephant once. It was more like a big, slow roll, but I wasn’t about to yell “Giddyup!” sitting that far off the ground.

In desert regions, people figured out camels would make a pretty sweet ride. They’re not pretty, but they can roll through a desert better than any other animal created. Those big feet are like the massive off-road tires I’ve seen on dune buggies. I rode a camel once, and let me tell you, it ain’t the most comfortable ride. I felt as if I were in my truck sitting on a bag of leftover McDonald’s or something.

Yes, people will ride pretty much anything. In South Africa, people ride ostriches. Seriously? You’re gonna put your life on the line for an extra-large three piece and a biscuit?

They ride reindeer in Finland. Bet that’s great unless you

happen to mount Prancer right before takeoff.

I even read where some people ride lions in Argentina.

Naw, bro. What do you think’s gonna happen when you finally climb off? They shall dub thee “lunch.”

I see vacation pics from friends who got to ride dolphins.

That would be awesome if my mailbox was underwater.

In South Africa, one can ride giraffes. You know you’d want to slide down the neck into the driver’s seat every single time, wouldn’t you? Sure, you would.

Hippos? Sure, why not. In South Africa, if all the giraffes are booked, one can ride a hippopotamus. How’s that for an amphibious assault vehicle? Bubba could do some serious muddin’ on that baby.

Way over in Tibet, folks climb right up on yaks. That’s like a cow with a mullet. They look pretty docile, which is probably why the less courageous among us feel fine with climbing right on.

I’m assuming all the animals mentioned above are tame and willing to support some weirdo sitting on top.

Want a real riding challenge? Try climbing on something that doesn’t want you there.

Man, that’s a whole ’nother level of death-defying acts.

Yes, I’ve been dumb enough to try my luck. As a kid, I tried riding a neighbor’s mule and nearly got kicked into my next life. Got dared to ride a bull, and I made it almost six seconds — five of which were because my hand was strapped to the pommel. The crash-landing I made registered on the Richter scale while a few hundred pounds of angry future steak tried to stomp my head. Jumped on a bronc’s back in Arizona and felt as if I were stuck in the tumble setting of a dryer.

I’m an embarrassment as a Texan. I don’t know why, but I’ve never been able to ride horses. Danged things keep falling out from under me. I once tried three times to stay on top of a bucking bronc, only to have it throw me off in about two seconds. I’d have kept trying if I hadn’t run out of quarters and there wasn’t a line of kids waiting behind me to ride the same horse there at Walmart.

April is rodeo month in East Texas. There are few more exciting events in all of sports. Those fearless riders remind us of what it must have been like when we humans were trying to find other modes of transportation all those years ago. There’ll be angry broncs and angrier bulls trying to shake off someone who’s just trying to survive for another eight seconds. Future cowboys and cowgirls will kick-start their courage in the mutton busting competition, riding sheep that might as well be an elephant to those little tykes holding on tight.

The George H. Henderson Jr. Exposition Center will stay packed with fans and all the wonders a rodeo brings.

I hope to see you there.

I’ll be the one lying underneath whatever I was trying to ride.

CHARM APRIL 2020

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ISIDRO HOMERO VASQUEZ III 10/14/2019 PARENTS: Isidro Homero Vasquez Jr. & Anahy Flores GRANDPARENTS: Porfirio & Hilda Flores; Isidro Homero Sr. & Juany Vasquez

IRIS BEL VASQUEZARAMBULA 4/16/2019 PARENTS: Gideon Arambula & Isabel Vasquez GRANDPARENTS: Jesus & Maria Vasquez; Ramon Arambula; Denise Hughes

LILY ANN STANLEY 11/25/2019 PARENTS: Timothy & Sara Stanley GRANDPARENTS: Dan & Jennifer Stanley; Tony & Deb Armes

RILYNN BAYLEE CHAMBERS 1/31/2020 PARENTS: Darrell & Patricia Chambers SISTERS: Miranda & Emma Chambers BROTHERS: Gunner, Trinity & Asher Sprinkle

ELYANA GRACE 7/3/2019 PARENTS: Danny Cantero & Amanda Jones GRANDPARENTS: Don & Melissa Howell

Want to show off your charming newborn (less than 12 months old)? Email newborn information and a high resolution photo to charmingbabies@lufkindailynews.com. By doing so, you are granting The Lufkin Daily News ownership and the rights to license and republish the photograph in any of the company’s publications. Photos will be published on a first-come-first-served basis. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH.

505 S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin WoodlandHeights.net Woodland Heights Medical Center is owned in part by physicians.

A Storied History s t o ry b y

JACKIE ZIMMERMAN

O

ne of Angelina County’s most successful and beloved community events turns 65 this year and traces its origins to seven men, a group of girls and a lot of horses.

In 1955, Angelina County Sheriff Leon Jones brought together a group of men whose experience on horseback could provide extra assistance to his small department.

Dubbed the Angelina County Sheriff ’s Posse, the seven original members were Bill Lewis, Johnny Childress, O.L. Hubbard, Fowler Burris (honorary member), James Summers, Melvin Massingill, Durwood Mooney, Jack Gordon and Jones, captain of the group.

That same year, the Posse hosted the first Angelina County Sheriff ’s Posse Benefit Rodeo, according to history collected by Debbie Lee and members of the Angelina County Mounted Patrol.

The all-girls rodeo was held at the junior wrangler arena on Marshall Holcomb’s property in Lufkin Land.

Championed as a great success, the Posse donated proceeds to the Angelina County Treatment Center, later known as the Wilson McKewen Treatment Center, named for the Lufkin civic leader who worked with both the Angelina County Lion’s Club and the Angelina County Mounted Patrol.

The next two years also were highly successful as the rodeo quickly evolved from an all-girls event to one that included men, as well. The Posse raised enough funds during those years to donate to the treatment center and build an all-lumber arena on U.S. Highway 59 north — the D. H. Walker Arena, which later became the D.H. Walker Mobile Home Park.

By 1957, the rodeo had grown so large that the Posse decided it needed assistance to handle the crowds, and the Lufkin Host Lions Club was invited to take over concessions.

The Posse celebrated the opening of the all-lumber arena in 1959 with nationally known TV actor Dale Robertson, best known for his roles as roving investigator Jim Hardie in the television series “Tales of Wells Fargo,” and Ben Calhoun, the owner of an incomplete railroad line in “Iron Horse.”

At a cost of $4,000 to $8,000 per performance, the Sheriff ’s Posse continued to bring in big name actors to the rodeo, including the 1960 appearance of Lorne Green and Dan Blocker, Ben and Hoss Cartwright, of “Bonanza” fame, and in 1961, Clu Gulager, who in 1960-1962 played Billy the Kid in “The Tall Man” and Emmett Ryker in “The Virginian.”

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1955 The posse is formed. Hosted first rodeo.

65 Years of The Angelina Benefit Rodeo

1957 Lufkin Host Lion’s Club took over concessions.

Angelina County Sheriff’s Posse at the rodeo arena at Tener Park, now Morris Frank Park.

1959 The rodeo began inviting celebrities.

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1962 The rodeo built an allsteel arena.

1970 Rodeo becomes a memeber of the PRCA.

1976 Mike Mathis becomes rodeo coordinator.

James A Todd, Lufkin Host Lions Club president in 1960, sits with Dan Blocker and Lorne Green, Hoss and Ben Cartwright of TV’s “Bonanza” fame.

Jim Todd’s father, James, was president of the Lion’s Club in 1960. As a youngster, Jim worked the rodeos, selling concessions and helping where needed.

“My fondest memory was getting to be around the cowboy stars we all idolized,” Todd said. “I absolutely loved getting to ride around with Hoss and Ben Cartwright and talking to them. I must have been 11 or 12 years old. That was absolutely the best.”

One of that era’s most famous TV personalities, Minnie Pearl from “Hee Haw,” appeared in 1962. Other celebrities who came to Lufkin in the mid-1960s included the Dr Pepper Girl Donna Loren and Homer & Jethro, who performed the first two nights of the 1964 rodeo. The duo was best known for their song satires, dry comic delivery and instrumental virtuosity.

The Posse also wrangled appearances by Walt Garrison, known for his dual cowboy roles as a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys and a professional rodeo competitor.

With the crowd growing each year, the rodeo quickly outgrew its lumber arena and work began on an all-steel arena

at Tener Park, what is now Morris Frank Park. With assistance from welder Pete Fenton and Lufkin Industries, the $35,000 arena was completed in just five months — just in time for the May 2, 1962, rodeo.

The move to the new arena brought another big change, a new name for the Posse. The newly dubbed Angelina County Mounted Patrol, which had grown to around 22 members, was performing drills and was in high demand for rodeos throughout Texas and Louisiana, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

In 1964, the group increased the prize money to draw betterknown rodeo contestants, which helped raise more funds for the treatment center.

In 1968, Raymond Havard joined the Mounted Patrol and took the reins of the rodeo using his experience to grow the event, as well as bring in horse sales and horse shows to Lufkin.

He served as rodeo coordinator from 1972-74.

In the early 1970s, the rodeo became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and it remains part of that organization today.

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1983 George H. Henderson Jr. Exposition Center is built.

2013 Angelina County Mounted Patrol is disbanded.

James A. Todd, far left, Lufkin Host Lions Club president in 1960, Bill Lewis, Angelina County Mounted Patrol president, second from right, and George Kelley DuPuy, Lions Club District Governor, far right, stand with Lorene Greene and Dan Blocker, Ben and Hoss Cartwright of “Bonanza” TV fame at the Lufkin rodeo arena.

“We had a lot of success throughout the years,” said Mike Mathis, who has served as the Lions Club rodeo coordinator since 1976. “Putting on a rodeo outdoors was always a challenge.

The last year in the arena at Morris Frank Park it rained 14 inches in four days.”

In the early 1980s, the Mounted Patrol and Lions Club agreed the proposed Angelina County Exposition Center would be a huge asset to the rodeo, Mathis said. “So, we took all the money we had, and some we did not, to help with the construction.”

The two groups put a combined $120,000 toward the Expo Center’s completion.

“That facility was the catalyst we needed to take the rodeo to the next level,” he said. “We found out putting on a rodeo inside was a whole lot different than in the past. It was time to not just maintain. We have the room and the opportunity to grow it.”

The Lions Club and Mounted Patrol continued to develop the rodeo through the 1990s on the expertise of Mathis, who left his daytime banking job and launched a second career as a full-time rodeo announcer.

Now known as Mr. Rodeo, Mathis gained experience and notoriety as the rodeo announcer on horseback. Last year, he announced at 40 rodeos from Florida to Utah.

Along with working rodeos around the country, Mathis continues to coordinate and work every night of Lufkin’s annual four-night event — 44 years and counting.

In 2013, the Angelina County Mounted Patrol disbanded.

Aging members and fewer riders, the organization could no longer meet the obligations of the drills, shows and volunteer efforts it had been doing for nearly 60 years. However, the

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Lions Club has not missed a step — filling the vacant volunteer positions with increasing numbers.

“Without the guys willing to sell tickets, work the concessions and do all of the things it takes to put this on — not just that week, but throughout the year — it would not be at the level it is today,” Mathis said.

Kevin Smithhart, Lions Club member since 1981, remembers his year as Lions Club president and riding into the arena each night on horseback to open the rodeo. “I was so nervous that first night. I was not a horseman.

“The majority of the Lions members are there every night plus our work night Monday night,” Smithhart said. “We paint the arena, label and clean the box seats and hang all the banners.”

Monty Stafford served the rodeo as both a member of the Mounted Patrol and the Lions Club.

“I had a lot of jobs at the rodeo over the years,” Stafford said.

“Mostly I worked the main concession stand. I think I have been making popcorn for the past 10 years.”

Mathis said Lufkin is lucky to have the dedication of the Lions Club members.

“I have seen what others do. I have seen what works and does not work,” Mathis said. “Other rodeos do not have the feeling of this event. This rodeo is special. Lufkin is a group that has fun and works hard because they believe in the product and the proceeds.

“When we talk about the East Texas rodeo, we not only want to be the biggest, but we also want to be the best. We do something different than other rodeos.

“We have style, speed, color and class.”

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Q&A

With The Queen s t o ry b y

MELISSA CRAGER

photos by

INNOVATIVE

ADVERTISING

enee’s

JOEL ANDREWS

AT THE RED DOOR

Claire Slatter is a 17-year-old senior at Hudson High School. She is this year’s Angelina Benefit Rodeo Queen. To be considered for Rodeo Queen, members of FFA or 4-H must fill out an application, and submit a two-page essay and photo of themselves.

Did you grow up attending/ participating in rodeos?

I began my years in the rodeo when I was very young. I participated in “Play Days” where my mom or dad would lead my horse through a barrel pattern or a pole-bending pattern. I have grown up attending rodeos, such as the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The 10 years that my family and I lived in Wichita Falls, we attended the Ranch Roundup, which is similar to the Angelina Benefit Rodeo.

In what events did you compete?

I participated in 4-H Horse Shows, competing in events such as Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, and some stock horse and cow horse events. I participated in many horse shows including the District Horse Show and the State 4-H Horse Show in Abilene, Texas, receiving several awards and buckles over the years.

Performance events and stock horse events were my primary and most consistent entries, but I loved the cow work, reigning and speed events.

I also have a passion for showing other livestock such as goats and cattle, having competed in almost all of the major shows with goats. Throughout my years in the

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show ring, I have learned life skills such as responsibility, patience, gratitude and social skills. I have also won several buckles, banners and ribbons by placing higher up in my classes.

What is your favorite memory from the rodeo?

My favorite memory from the rodeo comes from two years ago. That particular year, a few friends of mine were sitting directly across the arena from me, and we were making hand gestures back and forth.

The rodeo clown noticed, but he had no idea that we knew each other. He became a messenger, passing notes across the arena.

The members of the rodeo make people feel comfortable and at home, and I think that is my favorite part of the rodeo.

What does it mean to be named the Rodeo Queen?

I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. As this year’s Rodeo Queen, my job is to make people aware of the Angelina Benefit Rodeo. I am to be their biggest supporter and cheerleader by making sure I extend as many invitations as possible.

What will you do now that you’ve been named the Rodeo Queen?

With everyone watching me, I am to lead by example. My job is to make everyone feel special, while still meeting new people.

Finally, I am to work to give back to the community, and I could not be in a better position to do so.

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Saving the Family Farm s t o ry b y photos by

W

JASON HARDY LESLIE NEMEC

e often hear the stories of people losing their family farms — some to drought, others to the bank or due to the lack of any offspring to work the land. This is a phrase that resonates with anyone who has a love of the land or family. However, this is a tale of a man who bought back the family farm, section by section, until it was complete once again.

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Perry Fenley grew up in Hudson and began working at local feed stores and for various farmers and ranchers to satiate his love of the land. After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, he went on to teach agriculture at Hudson High School for 33 years. During that time, he mentored and taught thousands of children about his love of agriculture and how to be a good steward of the land.

And because of that love, in the 1980s, Perry started a journey to buy back his family’s old homestead.

The “Old Fenley Place” was inherited

by Perry’s step-grandmother in the early 1900s. Mrs. Loshie, as Perry calls her, lost her husband and remarried Perry’s Grandfather Fenley sometime in the 1920s. It became known as the Fenley Place, because, in those days, it was often assumed that the man owned the property.

Perry’s father grew up on the 86.56acre tract of farmland just off FM 706 and grew to love the place. In later years, he tended it for his step-siblings, who had inherited the land from their mother, Mrs. Loshie.

As a child, Perry, like his father before him, roamed the property and helped out where he could. As time moved on, the land was eventually split up. Although it remained in the family, it was owned by different heirs of Mrs. Loshie and was left un-utilized.

Over the next four decades, Perry bought back each share of the land to unify the Old Fenley Place once more.

I also grew up farming and ranching.

I have spent plenty of time exploring CHARM APRIL 2020

47

properties and wading through creeks, so I was excited to swap childhood stories with Perry.

When I called him at home, I was greeted by his wife Penny, who informed me, “there was no telling where he was or what he was doing out in the pastures.”

She promised he would call me back shortly after dark. I turned on my ringer and waited for his call.

But when I answered the phone, Perry was not at all what I expected. He was humble and very unassuming, quickly noting that he was not the only one to take on a project like this, and “it was not a big deal at all.” Nonetheless, he invited us to come check out the place the next morning.

When we arrived at the Fenley residence, Perry and Penny were waiting for us outside their beautiful ranch-style home. After short introductions, we were quickly made to feel like family.

It was within the first 10 minutes of our conversation that I realized why Penny had snickered when I assured her we would only take up 30 to 45 minutes of their time.

Perry is a wealth of historic information and loves to share it. He first pointed out the old pecan tree in the front of their home, where the horse pens stood in his grandfather’s time.

Mrs. Loshie, as the legend goes, stomped a pecan in the ground next to the horse corral.

A massive tree, planted by her heel, still stands today.

Perry grew up listening to his father’s stories about the Old Fenley Place, and in turn, has regaled his offspring with his own tales.

The desire that his three children and their children would have stories of their own to share about growing up on this precious 86.56-acre plot of earth, Perry said, inspired him to bring the family farm back together once more.

According to Perry, a child that grows up roaming, exploring and working a piece of land will possess something that most people in this day and age will never understand: a true love and respect for the land.

I believe him.

In this world of video games and Snapchat, a stick and a creek to follow could do wonders for the soul of a young person. It is only those things that offer you a chance to pay homage to the people who explored and worked the land before you.

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Bistro Brunch a

at Home

CHARMING RECIPE

s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

NICOLE ROBERTS

D

o you ever wake up on a Saturday morning and wish you could eat brunch at one of those fancy, big city bistros?

Well, wish no more. Create your own mouthwatering meal that will make your family (and their taste buds) extremely happy.

My heart did a little happy dance when my 13-year-old exclaimed this was one of the best meals he’s ever eaten. I literally couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the afternoon.

If there’s one thing I love to do, it’s feeding my people and feeding them well. Do we eat like this every day? Absolutely not. But as often as I can, I love to create something out of the ordinary, to set the table, use real cloth napkins, put fruit in the water in fancy drinking glasses and just create an unexpected atmosphere surrounding a meal.

Would you believe me if I told you there was avocado toast underneath all this? This tasty treat is definitely out of the ordinary — there’s so much going on, your taste buds will be all over the place. The fat from the avocado, the acidity of the tomatoes, the pepperiness of the radishes, the freshness of the herbs, the saltiness of the cotija cheese, the tartness of the pickled red onion — it all comes together brilliantly. Do not leaving anything out.

This is an easy meal to make, but time consuming, so allow yourself plenty of time to pull it all together.

Bon Appetit, Nicole Bistro-Style Avocado Toast I am not including measurements here because I don’t think it’s necessary. Just add how much you want.

Sourdough bread, sliced Fried eggs, 2 per piece of toast Avocado, ½ per toast Pickled red onions Everything Bagel Seasoning Tomatoes on the vine, thinly sliced Radishes, thinly sliced Cilantro, finely chopped Parsley, finely chopped Basil, finely chopped Green onion, chopped Sun-dried tomatoes Watercress (this is not required, but it gives the toast a more complete look)

Cotija cheese Cherry tomatoes, quartered High quality olive oil Kosher sea salt Cracked black pepper Assemble the toast: Start by chopping entire bunches of cilantro, basil and parsley. You will use quite a bit in each recipe.

Thinly slice the tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper and some chopped herbs. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Toast the sourdough bread. Slice the avocado and smear on the toast with a fork and then sprinkle Everything Bagel Seasoning on top (a little goes a long way).

Layer thinly sliced radishes, roasted herb tomatoes, two fried eggs and sprinkle with more Everything Bagel seasoning. Top with a couple slices of avocado and pickled red onions. Garnish with chopped herbs, chopped green onion, chopped sundried tomatoes and watercress. Sprinkle with a handful of cotija cheese.

Mix quartered cherry tomatoes with high quality olive oil (I love the basil infused olive oil from The White Peacock Olive Oil & Vinegar Co. in Lufkin), lots of herbs and salt and pepper. Serve over toast or on the side.

Side note: I am obsessed right now with pickled red onions. I put them on absolutely everything. They are super easy to make. Head over to my Instagram @ livewell_livewhole to see how it’s done.

Pan-fried Panko Asparagus 1 bunch asparagus, trim bottom ends off 1 cup panko ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated ½ cup flour ¼ tsp onion powder ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 3 eggs, lightly beaten Mix the panko and Parmesan cheese together in a shallow dish or plate. In a separate dish, add flour, onion powder, salt and pepper. Put the beaten eggs in a third

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dish. Dip the asparagus in eggs, roll in the flour mixture, dip in the eggs again, and then in the panko and Parmesan mixture.

Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cover the bottom of the pan with olive oil. Cook the asparagus, turning constantly until it is golden brown on all sides.

The Perfect Roasted Potatoes Potatoes Kosher sea salt Cracked black pepper Olive oil Chopped herbs Cut your potatoes into cubes or wedges, whatever your heart desires. Throw them in a colander and give them a good rinse.

Place the potatoes in a bowl with salt and cover with water. Give them a stir and let them sit for about 10 minutes.

Drain in a colander and rinse until the water runs clear of starch. Place potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Add ½ tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil and boil for about 2 minutes. Drain potatoes in a colander, and let them rest until they stop steaming. Toss the potatoes with a lot of olive oil, kosher sea salt, cracked black pepper and lots of chopped herbs.

Bake for 35-40 minutes at 400 degrees.

Toss the potatoes twice during this time.

They will be silky smooth on the inside and nice and crispy on the outside.

Side note: These potatoes are also amazing tossed with freshly grated Parmesan cheese (a lot of it) and finely minced garlic before baking.

Sundried Tomato Mayo (for dipping) 1 cup Duke’s mayo (do not substitute) 1 tbsp. sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped 1tbsp. fresh herbs 1 big pinch kosher sea salt Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Try doubling or even tripling this recipe. It is divine and goes fast.

For more food inspiration, follow Nicole on Instagram @livewell_livewhole.

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Did That, Doing That at DoDat s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

E

rmon Gipson wasn’t there when DoDat Barbecue began in 1984, but the thick envelope of printed photos he pulls out are a testament to at least one thing: he hasn’t missed one since he started competing nearly 25 years ago.

Three generations of Gipsons have been slinging brisket, ribs, sausage and beans at the Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center for nearly 30 years under the Pitmasters Barbecue banner. The family doesn’t expect that tradition to end anytime

TIM MONZINGO

soon.

DoDat began in 1984 as a fundraiser for the Foster Parent Association. It expanded and ran until its cancellation in 2007 by organizers, who cited rising costs and dropping attendance.

But in the 1990s, the barbecue event was the place to be.

“The whole town came together,” Ermon recalled. “It was just the camaraderie of it. It was a competition, but we were all friendly about it.”

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Ermon first got involved with DoDat in the mid-90s, when he, Brad Storey and a handful of coworkers sponsored themselves in the cook-off.

They’d reserve two spaces at the expo center grounds, and Ermon would diligently man the pit, skipping the raucous Friday-night dance party that was happening inside. Because the competition was a Gipson family affair, Ermon said they’d always make sure the kids were home before the dance started.

Like the event itself drew visitors, barbecue aficionados and cooks from all over, so too did it draw in Gipson family members, who had been scattered across East Texas.

“We might not get together for everybody’s birthday, but when DoDat comes around, we’re all there,” said Robert, Ermon’s son who was 17 years old in 1997 when he helped his dad build the pit they use to this day. “Some people talk about vacation; we talk about DoDat.” For the 1997 barbecue competition, the Gipsons opted to strike out on their own using their homemade pit.

As members of the East Texas Barbecue Association, the Pitmasters traveled all over the region cooking at various competitions and festivals. They’ve stacked up awards and plaques aplenty — enough that when asked, Ermon won’t even guess at the total number.

“As a general rule, we always placed in the top 10, but we only count first through third,” said Shirley Langford, Ermon’s daughter.

The Pitmasters even earned a Grand Champion title during the barbecue competition at the Oldest Town in Texas Motorcycle Rally — better known as the OTT Rally — which filled the void when DoDat was canceled in 2007.

Ermon doesn’t attribute those awards and successes to any of the spices or sauces they slather on their meat.

“It’s not about the ingredients; it’s about the pit,” he said.

OTT was different than DoDat, attracting not only cooks and barbecue fans, but also an array of vendors accompanied by the thundering noise and heavy exhaust from hundreds of bikers.

The rally came to an end in 2017 around the same time the wheels were turning at

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“We might not get together for everybody’s birthday, but when DoDat comes around, we’re all there.”

— Robert Gipson.

the Nacogdoches Area United Way to revive DoDat as their own fundraiser. The event returned in 2018, and of course, the familiar red and yellow Pitmasters banner was there.

Ermon said two of the original crew members who started cooking with him in the ’90s still show up, along with Shirley and Robert, and their kids, five of whom regularly turn up for the competitions.

“At this point, it’s a tradition for us,” Shirley said. “Daddy started it, we did it, and our kids are doing it.”

The atmosphere at the reincarnated barbecue is different than it was in the ’90s, but that may just be growing pains and a side effect of reviving the event. Whatever that change is, Ermon is convinced the United Way will make a name for the event again for future generations.

And the Gipsons plan to be there as long as DoDat continues.

The younger generation is competitive about it, too, even if they’re just barbecuing for a fun, family weekend.

“You can’t win them all,” Ermon said.

But, Robert, Shirley and three of her kids seriously beg to differ. It’s their intention to win as many awards for themselves as possible while still embracing the good-time attitude that continues to draw them to the event.

But for Ermon, after nearly 30 years running the pit at competitions, it isn’t about the trophies or notoriety anymore.

“I’ve got the awards,” Ermon said. “It’s all about making memories now.”

DoDat Barbecue

Saturday, May 2, 2020 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center

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CHARM APRIL 2020

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Candace Wadsworth, Volunteer Auxiliary president, and volunteer Steve Paul say working the popcorn machine is one of their favorite duties at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial.

The Legacy Lives On s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

A

TINA ALEXANDER-SELLERS

lmost half a century ago, a group of women put their collective minds together to formulate a mission that some would call impossible. It would become known as the CHI St. Luke’s HealthMemorial Volunteer Auxiliary.

Thousands of volunteer hours, later coupled with over $2.1 million in donations, their legacy lives on and remains a vital part of CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin.

One hospital visitor described the volunteers as “love in motion.” Another likened them to “sunshine on a rainy day.” The members of the Volunteer Auxiliary come from all walks of life, but they all have one thing in common — answering the call to serve.

They go about doing their assigned tasks dressed in their signature green vests, always ready to help make the hospital a better place for everyone.

“It gives me a purpose for getting up in the morning and coming to work. I enjoy helping people. Volunteering at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial is the place I want to be,” said Candy Wadsworth, president of the Volunteer Auxiliary.

It is, after all, a perfect fit. Candy’s sister, Cindy, works as the clinic coordinator of the fifth floor of the hospital. Candy’s mother, Daisy Wadsworth, served as a hospital volunteer for 27 years. She was president of the Volunteer Auxiliary for nine of those years. It was Daisy’s idea to bring the popcorn machine to CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial.

Money from the popcorn sales funds

scholarships for students seeking a career in the medical field. Daisy didn’t want money to prevent someone from going to school. To date, proceeds from the popcorn sales have provided almost $400,000 in scholarships.

Volunteers work a minimum of four hours a week, providing assistance throughout the hospital from greeting guests and answering telephones to operating the Gift Shop and popping popcorn.

“Our volunteers are such a valuable asset to our patients and hospital,” said Karen Hooks, manager of the Gift Shop. “All the behind the scenes work they do, all the great work assisting our patients with information and the day-to-day operations, both here in the Gift Shop and hospitalwide, make our precious volunteers one of the best things we have going for us.

I am grateful and blessed to have the honor to work with them.”

Volunteers also help raise funds to purchase medical equipment for the hospital. Their annual $5 Masquerade Jewelry Sale is so popular that they added a second event to be held May 6-8 in the hospital’s front lobby.

Volunteers at CHI St. Luke’s HealthMemorial work to make a difference. This year we celebrate National Healthcare Volunteer Week during April 19-25. Call (936) 639-7237 to join the team.

Find out more about volunteering at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial www. chistlukeshealthmemorial.org/about/ volunteers

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JACQUELINE MALOTA

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T

ANGELA MARCOTTE

his custom home built by Petty Construction for Dustin Morris and Kelly Reeves beautifully captures the modern farmhouse chic trend. Dark wood is paired with clean, spa-like neutrals throughout, creating an inviting and cozy atmosphere. Tricolored hardwood floors break up the space and add interest. The master bedroom is downstairs, and two bedrooms and a game room are upstairs. A roomy balcony on the second floor overlooks the backyard, perfect for enjoying the East Texas skies.

To learn more about properties like this, contact Kristy Petty with Brookshire Real Estate at (936) 414-6002 or Randall Petty with Petty Construction at (936) 414-9230.

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A combination of muted gray cabinets and sleek white countertops and backsplash make up the kitchen. A sizable island with plenty of storage and a built-in sink acts as the centerpiece.

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Protecting Your Home from Pollutants s t o ry b y

SHEA SMITH

T

he big, yellow cloud has already covered our homes, our cars and even us. Spring here, and it is bringing with it all of the dust, dander, pollen and other allergens possible. Not to mention all of the viruses and illnesses that leave us feeling awful.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure your family continues to breathe safe and healthy air inside your home. We like to call this our layered approach to clean air.

1. Filtration is the easiest way to keep as many pollutants as possible out of your home.

Many of us purchase the simple, 1-inch filters at the store, and we barely remember to change them out each month. But did you know there are many filtration offerings that can block more than double the amount of pollutants coming into your home?

Filters are rated using the MERV System. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, ratings indicate the effectiveness of the filter’s ability to remove airborne particulates.

Between 1 and 4: Low-grade HVAC filters, such as spunfiberglass or washable filters, carry a MERV rating between 1 and 4, at best. While these filters trap pet hair, carpet fibers and other large debris, they are ineffective when it comes to improving indoor air quality.

Between 5 and 8: Filters with this rating offer improved filtration and are capable of trapping particulates, such as mold spores, pet dander and pollen.

Between 9 and 12: These filters provide superior filtration in residential applications and can trap lead dust, Legionella and auto emissions.

Between 13 and 20: Filters that fall between these MERV ratings can trap tobacco smoke and microscopic bacteria.

When choosing a filter replacement for your HVAC system, it is important that you do not exceed the recommended MERV rating that your system was designed to handle.

High-MERV filters, while very effective at air filtration, have a negative impact on the system’s airflow. This can cause air leakage within the system in areas such as return ducts, plenums and cabinets, where there is less resistance. In addition, a highperformance filter can lead to increased energy use, more wear and tear on the system and the chances of coil freezing.

If you are unsure of the maximum MERV rating for your HVAC system, contact your heating and air conditioning contractor or manufacturer.

2. Attack the viruses before they attack you. An Air Knight purification system is an unobtrusive piece of equipment that can be placed into your duct system. Using a unique bipolar ionization system, the Air Knight IPG Air Purification System provides both positive and negative ion technology that encourages particles in the air to gather together. This system can make your existing air filter system better and more efficient than before.

These types of units reduce odors, air pollutants, VOC’s (chemical odors), smoke, mold, bacteria and viruses.

3. Layer your defense system by using other resources to maximize the efforts of your HVAC system and indoor air quality tactics. UV Lights are installed in your ductwork or near the AC coil to destroy microbes like mold, bacteria, fungi, mildew, mold spores and viruses. Maintenance is easy — just change the bulb when it burns out.

GARDENING

BUILDING THE BEST SOIL IMPROVE YOUR GARDENING SUCCESS BY BUILDING UP YOUR CURRENT GARDEN’S SOIL AND FINDING A GOOD PLACE TO PUT A NEW GARDEN. s t o ry b y

I

CARY SIMS

f you are reading this, you probably enjoy working outside. Be it your yard, landscape or vegetable garden, you can’t wait for the sun to shine so you can start digging, prepping the garden and planting!

But, can you really “build” your soil?

Yes. We build it by incorporating organic matter.

If your beds are already in place, just add compost and mulch to the surface. But when they are bare, be sure your first step is to add organic matter.

Is your soil too sandy? Add organic matter.

Is it nothing but clay? Add organic matter.

The benefits of adding organic matter to soil are numerous. Composted, organic matter adds nutrients, increases water-holding capacity, improves soil structure, is loaded with beneficial microbes and helps prevent erosion.

Organic matter really is the miracle cure for bad soils.

Compost can be from manures, lawn clippings, leaves or anything natural you can find. Many seasoned gardeners will till in leaves, pine straw or other raw material into the soil months before it is used. This allows the soil to create its own compost.

Now if you are looking to build a new garden site, one of our biggest challenges is finding well-drained soil.

So much of our ground in Angelina County has clay as a subsoil. This clay will be red in the northern part of the county and gray in the southern portions. However, well-drained soil is a must for many desirable shrubs, perennials and vegetables.

If you’re unsure whether or not your garden site is poorly drained, there is a simple test to check.

Well-drained soil has everything to do with how quickly water will percolate through the soil. Many homeowners think that a sloping ground area that sheds water is “well-drained.”

Not true. Water must be allowed to move into the soil and then move through it.

To determine whether or not your soil is welldrained, here is the method to follow: Step 1: Dig a hole at least 12 inches in diameter by 12 inches deep, with straight sides. If you’re testing

your entire property, dig several holes scattered around your yard, since drainage can vary.

Step 2: Fill the hole with water, and let it sit overnight.

This saturates the soil and helps give a more accurate test reading.

Step 3: Refill hole with water the next day.

Step 4: Every hour, measure the water level by laying a stick, pipe or other straight edge across the top of the hole. Then, use a tape measure or yardstick to determine the water level. Continue to measure the water level every hour until the hole is empty, noting the number of inches the water level drops per hour.

The ideal soil drainage is around 2 inches per hour, with readings between 1-3 inches. This is generally fine for most plants with average drainage needs. If the rate is less than 1 inch per hour, your soil is poorly drained.

For poorly drained soils, one solution for vegetables and many perennials is a raised bed. Whether in rows down your garden or landscaped beds edged with timber, stone or other items, raising the level of the soil should aid greatly.

The question is often asked, “Can I dig a deep hole, fill it full of good soil and create a well-drained soil that way?” Unfortunately, digging a hole like that will only create a big “clay bowl” that will still hold water quite well.

To overcome uncertainty in selecting what fertilizer or lime and how much of each, you must take a soil test.

Soil testing costs $13 per sample, plus $6-7 for postage, if you mail it. Stephen F. Austin State University also has a laboratory that tests soil for liming and fertilization.

You can pick up a form at our office next to the Angelina County Farmers Market on the south loop in Lufkin or print one off the internet yourself. Type “SFA soil test” into your search engine and select the first PDF option on the screen.

If you have problems reading your soil test report or have other questions about your landscape, feel free to call our office at (936) 634-6414. I’m at extension 2.

Cary Sims is the County Extension Agent for agriculture and natural resources for Angelina County. His email address is cw-sims@tamu.edu.

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CHARM APRIL 2020

FORAGING

PURE ENERGY

s t o ry b y

T

MARK VORDERBRUGGEN

he impossible is expected from you every day.

In this modern age, with all its “labor saving devices,” just means you have to squeeze in more labor during the 19 hours you’re awake. Anything less and the whispers start, either by others or worse, you against yourself.

So the alarm goes off and the scent of coffee soon fills the air.

You can’t get through the day without the caffeine burst of this almost magical elixir of energy. Besides energy, its antioxidants maintain the long-term health of your heart and brain, with three cups a day significantly reducing heart attacks, dementia and Alzheimer’s.

But alas, you find yourself loading it up with sugar to cut the bitter flavor. This adds to the initial burst of energy but leads to serious crashing a few hours later, not to mention all the bad effects of sugar itself. You tried green tea, but it’s just as bitter — if not more — and still requires sugar. What’s a person to do?

Luckily, you live in an area where the only native, caffeineproducing plant in North America is found, Yaupon holly. This plant has a long history of being used as a caffeinated tea going back to the first settlers in Texas and the Southeast.

Ounce for ounce, the dried leaves of Yaupon holly have half the caffeine of regular tea and just about all of the antioxidants, but they lack the tannins and other bitter compounds of traditional tea and coffee.

Even without any sugar, Yaupon tea has a slight, natural sweetness. Not Texas sweet tea levels of sweetness, but rather like a hint of sweet violets.

True, the scientific name of this wonderful plant is Ilex vomitoria, but this is due to the potty-humor of the original Western botanists who named it rather than to any purgative effects. Unfortunately, this scientific name still stands in the way of the commercial success of Yaupon holly.

Look for Yaupon in the woods, protected by the shade of large trees. It’s important to examine the leaves, making sure the edges have a rounded-tooth or scalloped pattern and the leaves are attached to the stem in a zig-zag, alternating arrangement.

This is to avoid accidentally picking the smooth-edge, oppositely arranged leaves of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), the undrinkable mimic of yaupon holly. The privet won’t hurt you (much), but it’s not going to help you, either.

In the fall, female Yaupons are covered in small red berries, which aren’t edible, so either collect the leaves before the berries appear or harvest from the berry-free, male trees.

If you think about it, Yaupon tea helps you twice. Spending time out in the woods is a great stress reliever, which you probably need, and once you need to fire up your engine, the Yaupon leaves you collected are there for you with a dose of pure energy.

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THE SKINNY ON FAT “FAT IS FATTENING.” “FAT CLOGS YOUR ARTERIES.” “FAT MAKES YOU GAIN WEIGHT.” s t o ry b y

ANGELA LARSON

W

e’ve all heard these indictments and had them pounded into our heads. But then, somewhere along the way, we started hearing about “healthy fats” and people singing the praises of olive oil, nuts and fish oil. So what gives?

It’s no wonder so many of us are confused by convoluted nutrition advice. Want to know what fats won’t simultaneously clog your arteries, make you gain 10 pounds and have the health police beating down your door? Lo and behold, I present to you my guide to healthy cooking oils. Wonder no more.

But first, let’s clear up one thing.

Fat is just one type of nutrient that provides calories in the diet. The calories from fat are higher than from protein and carbs, because 1 gram of fat supplies about 9 calories. Compare this to protein and carbs, which only supply 4 calories per gram, and you can see why fat has been villainized over the years based on calories alone.

Just because fat supplies calories does not mean it should

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be feared, however. Cooking oils are mostly pure fat, and no matter which one you choose, they all have about the same number of calories per the same volume.

So one tablespoon of butter has about the same calories as one tablespoon of olive oil, which is the same as one tablespoon of pure Crisco (and all of these have just over 100 calories, by the way).

So while the calories still most definitely count, remember that fats and oils are just one piece of a healthy diet. Whether your diet is lower in fat, or has an abundance of it (I’m looking at you keto dieters), choose the kinds of oils that will serve your health.

On the flip side, it’s best to limit highly refined oils that are high in omega-6 fats, because these tend to increase inflammation in the body and can contribute to a host of health problems.

So choose wisely, my friends.

NUTRITION My Favorite Cooking Oils Extra-virgin olive oil I’ve waxed poetic in a previous issue of Charm about the wonderful merits of extra-virgin olive oil, so if you’d like an entire article to help guide you in purchasing the perfect EVOO, go check it out.

I’ll reiterate that olive oil is so healthy, it’s ridiculous. Quality and freshness definitely matters though, so seek out the highest quality oils, possible. Olive oil works perfectly in cooked applications, but it can burn easily, so avoid using in the highest heat cooking applications.

Butter OK, so I’ve also written an entire article on butter in a previous issue of Charm. In fact, a few attendees at previous speaking engagements began calling me the “Butter Girl,” which is a nickname I proudly wear.

Everyone likes butter, so it’s a pretty easy sell when I tell you that it’s just as healthy as it is delicious. As with all cooking oils, quality does matter, so use good quality butter from animals raised on pasture whenever possible. For all the details check out my article “In Defense of Butter” in the March 2016 issue of Charm.

Coconut Oil Coconut oil is wonderfully versatile, and because it is highly saturated, it is very stable when cooked. This makes coconut oil very healthy because more saturation means more chemical stability when heated, which means less oxidation and inflammation in the body. These are all good things. On top of that, coconut oil has some awesome antibacterial and antiviral properties, so it might even help prevent cold and flu.

Refined coconut oil can be used as a perfect substitute for vegetable oil (which should be limited) since it’s flavorless and neutral tasting.

Virgin coconut oil, to the contrary, does add a coconut flavor to anything it’s used in.

Other fancy stuff I don’t use fancy stuff all the time (despite my husband’s claims that I’m high maintenance), but I do keep a few special flourishes on hand for certain food preparation tasks.

When I feel up to making my own homemade mayonnaise, nothing beats avocado oil for its combination of neutral flavors and amazing health benefits.

Walnut and pecan oil are two more favorites that are best used for cold applications, especially salad dressing or as a drizzle on top of dishes. They add an amazing flavor, and walnut oil is high in omega-3 fats, which makes it extra special.

Want to sum it all up? Here’s my cheat sheet to help you navigate what to cook with. Happy cooking, and bon appétit!

To schedule a consultation with Angela, visit the MediSlim clinic at 3806 S. Medford Drive in Lufkin or call (936) 632-1996 for more information.

CHOOSE GOOD COOKING OILS • Refined coconut oil (flavorless, can be used for baking in place of vegetable oil and higher heat applications) • Virgin coconut oil (coconut flavor) • Extra virgin olive oil (medium heat only and fresh applications) • Butter (my favorite is Kerrygold brand) • Ghee (clarified butter) • High quality pastured lard, duck fat, or beef fat (but NOT hydrogenated varieties) • Peanut oil (use sparingly) • Avocado, walnut, pecan, and other specialty oils (best used in fresh, unheated applications) • Fish oil or cod liver oil (as a dietary supplement) – choose only cold-pressed varieties

LIMIT THESE COOKING OILS • Vegetable oil • Cottonseed oil • Soybean oil • Safflower oil • Sunflower oil • Corn oil • Grapeseed oil • Canola oil • Margarine • Fried foods • Salad dressings made with the above oils • Hydrogenated oils (all types) — eliminate from the diet. This is bad, bad stuff!

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DO-IT-YOURSELF

Mason Jar Coasters s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

ASHTON CLARK

S

pring is in the air, which means festivals, markets and trade days are about to be in full swing! There is something about attending outdoor events in the spring that jump-starts my creative side. I was inspired to make these fabric Mason jar coasters while attending a market and thought they would be the perfect addition to our outdoor space. I added in blue tones to accent my new throw pillows and to brighten up our porch.

What you will need: • Cardboard *not pictured • Fabric • Mod Podge • Paint brush • Pencil • Scissors • Wide-mouth Mason jar lids Step by step: 1. Remove a lid from the wide-mouth Mason jar.

Trace this lid onto the cardboard and fabric.

2. Cut out the circle traces. *Note: you will need one cardboard circle and two circles of fabric for each coaster.

3. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the backside of your jar lid. (The non-shiny side.) Press the cardboard on top.

4. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the other side of the jar lid. (The shiny side.) Press a fabric circle to this side.

Allow 15 minutes for both sides of the jar lid to dry.

5. Apply an additional layer of Mod Podge to the top of your fabric. Allow 15-20 minutes to dry.

6. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the top side of your cardboard. Place a fabric circle on top and press down.

7. Apply a layer of Mod Podge on top of the fabric that’s now covering your cardboard. Allow 15-20 minutes to dry.

8. Gather the metal jar rings. Using the Mod Podge or a hot glue gun, apply a layer of glue around the inside edge of each jar ring. Press the fabric-covered lid into the ring and allow time for the glue to dry.

Once you’ve finished assembling the pieces, I’d recommend giving your coasters about a day to dry before using them. When it’s all done, you can kick back on the porch, take a sip from your favorite beverage and enjoy your cute new coasters!

We hope you enjoy this DIY. Be sure to share your creation with us on Facebook or Instagram.

XO, Ashton For inspiration all month long, visit Ashton’s blog sistersageco.com and follow @sistersageco on social media.

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events + music

* Disclaimer: All events are subject to change. Please check with the event coordinator for details.

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events + music

T E X AS MUSIC SCENE

4/3 John Michael Montgomery, Crockett Civic Center

4/18 Ryan Paul Davis, Maklemore’s Ale House & Bistro, Nacogdoches

4/11 Brick Street Blues Band, LugNutz, Lufkin

4/25 Winston Cook Live, Maklemore’s Ale House & Bistro, Nacogdoches

4/4 Kody West, Banita Creek Hall, Nacogdoches

4/25 Read Southall Band, Banita Creek Hall, Nacogdoches

Email local events to editor@charmeasttexas.com for listing consideration.

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LAST LOOK

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CHARM APRIL 2020

2704 S. John Redditt Dr. Lufkin 936-634-2255

Roy Carroway Owner

Editor’s note: In order to help homeless pets in the Lufkin and Nacogdoches area, Charm East Texas’ animal rescue page features pets that are in desperate need of loving homes. If you are a rescue that has a pet to feature, please contact us at editor@charmeasttexas.com. View other adoptable pets at Petfinder.com.

Animal Rescue

Jumper is an 8-year-old Australian shepherd/blue heeler mix. She is great with kids and other dogs. Jumper would do best in a home with no cats.

Jumper is a very sweet girl. She loves to be active. Her age does not stop her at all. She loves all treats and toys.

She is up-to-date on vaccines and preventatives, heartworm negative, spayed and micro-chipped. If you are interested in Jumper, contact the Winnie Berry Humane Society at (936) 639-1880 for more information.

Nala is a 1-year-old domestic shorthair kitty. She is great with kids. Nala would do best in a home with no large animals. She is a very sweet girl. She loves naps and cat nip. She would make a great companion for any family. She is up-to-date on vaccines and preventatives, feline leukemia and feline AIDS negative, spayed and micro-chipped. If you are interested in Nala, contact the Winnie Berry Humane Society at (936) 639-1880 for more information.

Jumper

Nala

Callie

Charlie

Callie is an 8-month-old Belgian malinois mix. She is great with kids.

Callie would do best in a home with no cats. Callie is good with other dogs with proper introduction. Callie is a very high-energy dog. She is going to need a family who has plenty of room for her to run and play. Callie is a big fan of toys. She is up-to-date on vaccines and preventatives, heartworm negative, spayed and micro-chipped.

If you are interested in Callie, contact the Winnie Berry Humane Society at (936) 639-1880 for more information.

Charlie is a handsome guy who is about 4-years-old, but still loves to play and explore. We believe he is a Shih Tzu/ terrier mix and that is a good combo. He is laid back like a Shih Tzu and likes everyone like a terrier.

Charlie likes other dogs and cats and loves attention from his people. He is potty-trained, neutered and up-todate on all shots. If you are interested in meeting Charlie, please contact us on Facebook through our website at nacfosterrescue.com.

the rodeo issue april 2020

behind the scenes

Let us help you get back to doing the things you enjoy.

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Embroidery, Screen Printing & Digital Printing Come See Us For All Your Custom Needs We Carry Women’s Clothing, Gifts & Accessories

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Lucky Puppy State of the art mobile grooming service to make your pet look their best!

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CHARM APRIL 2020

BLEED MARGIN

‘SAFE ZONE’ Document size: 9x10.875in Margins: .25 all around Bleeds: .25 inches all around

Are you a stem cell or exosomes candidate?

aFFIlIate oF an InternatIonal reSearCH netWorK Cell SUrGICal netWorK PUrPoSe: to study the effects of adipose derived stem cells under Irb approved research protocols using customized equipment areas of study are broad across the network. Dr. Davis has a specific interest in neurologic conditions such as mS, Parkinson’s, Stroke, Dementia, Spinal and neuropathic Pain, and incomplete spinal cord injury. He has pioneered the use of the C1-C2 intrathecal injection of SvF* in order to deliver a greater number of stem cells to the brain and cervical spinal cord. *stromal vascular fraction is a product derived from the patient’s own subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissues which is rich in adult mesenchymal stem cells, vascular stem cells and growth factors. the use of stem cells is not fDa approved for the treatment of any specific disease in the United states at this time and their use is therefore investigational. this is a patient-funded study.

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