History Center Press Clippings ... Local events from the pages of The Free Press

THIRTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK - State Representative Buddy Temple poses with members of the Committee On Aging and the new bus for senior citizens which has been placed in service. Also in the photo are J.D. McNair, Virgie Ricks, Ruth Washington Simms, driver Victor Bruce, Travis Briggs, Irene Johnson and Vida Weeks. (Photo Courtesy of The History Center)

A Public Service of The History Center

ONE YEAR AGO

Waymon Bullock, retired East Texas band director, serves as guest conductor during the SFASU Wind Ensemble concert. Bullock conducts two of his own marches, “The Spine of the Devil” and “The Whirlwind.”

Members of the Angelina College Pom Squad are Heather Fuller, Nikki Rogers, Jessica Gulledge, Kimberly Wilson, Selina Flurry, Angelan Ringland, Kristi Holman, Shay Stringer, with Dr. Missy Crowson as Pom Squad coordinator and Leslie Navarro squad's dance director.

Kids in Christ at Huntington United Methodist Church host penny drive for additional Pew Bibles.

Diboll High School science classes conduct hands-on experiments to learn the true effects of smoking as students dissect and burn cigarettes in integrated physics and chemistry classes.

The Angelina County Chamber of Commerce welcomes two new members into the medical community, Gaslight Imaging Center and The Surgery Center, located in Lufkin.

The Hudson boys cross country team places fourth at the State Cross Country Meet held in Round Rock.

World War II hero John H. Taylor, along with his family, visits The History Center's newest exhibit, Angelina County at War, a World War II Exhibit.

Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine veterans are honored at the First Baptist Church in Diboll. Those present in this special salute are Bobby Baker, Donald Capps, Joe Paul Stovall, Dave Martinez, Jr., Joe Miranda, Jerry Morgan, James Simms, Coy Taylor, Travis Jones, Earl Carr, Harry Medley, Leonard Robinson and Charles Pavlic.

Nine Diboll Lady Jacks are named to the All-District volleyball team.Lydia Enriquez is named to the first team while Sade Greene and Tracey Morado is named to the second team. Honorable mentions include Samantha Johnson, Chelsea Waters, Alyssa Tamez, Pashun Tappin, JaFrina Jackson and Alex Jackson.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties create Pineywoods Ground Water Conservation District.

Tri-County Rodders Car Club donates $3,706 to Lufkin's Salvation Army Adult Day Care Center.

The USDA Forest Service honor Deep East Texas Development Association with National Rural Community Assistance Award for 2001.

Karen Higgins is promoted to director of medical records at Memorial Health System of East Texas.

The Diboll High School Band Boosters hold annual Poinsettias sale as fund raiser for school band activities.

Diboll Police Officer Brandon Lovell and Diboll ISD Police Officer Jacob Denman present Jake the drug dog to students of Diboll Primary during Red Ribbon Week, as part of anti-drug education campaign.

Hudson Hornets boys cross country team place ninth at the state meet held in Round Rock.

Lt. Gen. (Retired) Orren Whiddon is keynote speaker at St. Cyprian's Episcopal School as they stage red, white and blue salute to American Veterans. Lt. Gen. Whiddon explains to the students how we came to celebrate Veteran's Day and the sacrifices people in the military make in the name of freedom.

Diboll High School Seniors Crystal Rodriquez and Ronnie Coleman are selected DHS Sweetheart and Beau.

Friday Night Lights: Apple Springs Eagles salvage 2001 football season, beating Chester Yellow Jackets 38-25 in finale; Huntington Red Devils bring 1-9 season to a close as they lose 20-7 decision to Palestine Westwood Panthers; Lufkin's 21-7 win over Longview Lobos give Pack first out-right district title since '86 season; Crockett Bulldogs secure District 20-3A tie with 36-20 victory over Diboll Lumberjacks.

TEN YEARS AGO

Kaela Kenley, of Diboll, a sophomore breaststroke/free style swimmer majoring in business, is a member of the 1996 Ouachita Baptist university Tiger Shark swimming and diving team in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

CIGNA HealthCare of Texas gives monetary donation to the Diboll High School Lumberjack Stadium Fund to help production costs with its football program.

Pro Nail Salon, with complete and professional nail care, has grand opening at its location on John Redditt Drive in Lufkin.

The East Texas blood supply is in need of O negative, O positive and B positive type blood according to the Stewart Regional Blood Center in Lufkin.

The Woodsmen Motorcycle Club announces its 11th annual “Toy Run” for December 8. All proceeds will go to the Women's Shelter of East Texas, LOVE, Inc., Salvation Army in Lufkin and The Empty Stocking Fund in Nacogdoches.

E.L. Kurth Jr., Charitable Foundation contributes $200,000 to aid in the implementation of the new master plan for the Ellen Trout Zoo.

Vivian Holt, of Diboll, returns from missionary work in Rabat, Morocco where she taught Bible school.

Five Diboll FFA members attend the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Members include Jennifer Webb, Tonya McClendon, Amanda Williams, William Courtney and Timothy Bounds.

Smoking in buildings and vehicles owned by the City of Diboll and parking on the paved shoulder of U.S. 59 may soon be prohibited as the Diboll City Council appears ready to approve ordinances banning these practices.

John and Elaine Smith of Diboll announce the engagement of their daughter Shelley Diane Smith to Roy M. Frankens, son of Rev. Bobby and Marylyn Frankens of Chester.

Members of the Diboll Junior High Pep Squad this year are Terrianne Grigsby, Keisha Ray, Mary Kate Wilder, Christine Rodriquez, Alicia Wilson, Jennifer Wheeler, Destiny Roig, Vermique Burton, Gloria Miranda, Sara Hines, Susan Martin, Stacey Webb, Candice Burch, Dana Malone, Morgan Capps, Lauren Campbell, Earline Grimes, Shaitera Rodgers, Ronna Levias, Courtney Bearden, Tova Holman, Whitney Chapman and sponsors Martha Carswell and Kaye McElroy.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

St. Patrick's Ladies Guild holds its annual bazaar at the church located on Lowery Street in Lufkin. All kinds of gift item, baked goods, chili and hot dogs are offered.

Bobby Young, area forester for the Texas Forest Service in Lufkin, is elected to the board of directors of the Texas Forestry Association at the association's annual meeting in Lufkin.

“Christmas in Toyland” is displayed by participants in the 1986 Christmas Parade held in Lufkin. Poo Bear, Tigger, Raggedy Ann and Andy are on hand to greet the crowds.

Members of the Diboll Memorial VFW Post and Auxiliary are out in full force at the second Diboll Arts & Crafts Fair. The group is taking orders for holiday fruits and offering buddy poppies.

Children's Book Week is celebrated at Kurth Memorial Library with Dr. Francis Abernethy, local author from Nacogdoches.

Lufkin City Commissioners approve city transit system which is scheduled to begin operation next summer.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports the number of people in Angelina County increased from 64,172 in 1980 to an estimated 68,900 in July of 1985 or by 7.4 percent.

Twirlers for the Diboll Lumberjack Band this year are Jimmie Beth Ivey, Gina Lee, Demetra Brown, Jennifer Hendrick and Elizabeth Ingram.

Diboll Ladyjacks lose to Lufkin Lady Panthers 55-32 in initial basketball game, last played in the mid-1950's by the girl's team. Ladies basketball is being revived this year at DHS. Shana Lee led Diboll in scoring with 11 points.

`Friday Night Lights: Mistakes give Crockett 24-2 win over Diboll; Grosebeck's defense wins over San Augustine 13-6; Lufkin Panthers out duel Killeen 17-12; and Apple Springs Eagles wallop Evadale 41-17.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Lufkin presents annual Thanksgiving celebration. Guest singers appearing include: the Goodwill Gospel Chorus, Shiloh, Diboll; Mount Beulah, Memorial Chapel; New Zion Choir and male chorus, Mount Calvary Choir, Gospel Searchers, Church of God; Long Chapel Junior and Senior Choirs, Mount Pleasant; Community Chorus, Groveton; Spiritual Harmonnettes and Spiritual Silvertones.

Dale Lee Timble of Lufkin and Linda Anne Edwards of Groveton receive educational awards from The Rotary Foundation for study abroad for the year 1977-78.

Staff Sergeant Jack Ferrell, of Pineland, receives the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal at Kedena Air Base, Japan. S/Sgt. Ferrell is a precision measuring equipment specialist assigned to the Tactical Air Command.

Comedy legend and television/movie entertainer Bob Hope brings his show to the Stephen F. Austin State University Coliseum.

Mr. Don Harrison of Diboll and Mrs. Berni Harrison of Westminster, California, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Charlotte Diane to Larry Sloan Lucas, son of Mrs. Exa Lee Lucas of Lufkin and the late Morris Sloan Lucas.

Harris and Dallas Counties continue to rank one-two as the leading enrollment areas for Stephen F. Austin State University according to the director of admissions.

L. Harlan Ford, Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, files lengthy decision which favors Diboll ISD board of trustees in firing of former teacher who earlier this year pled guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Nacogdoches County.

The Lufkin Music Study Club meets in the home of Mrs. Shell Carter and discusses the history of American early songs.

Lumberjack running back John Fenley's 259 rushing yards againt Hemphill put him into the top spot for single game rushing at Diboll High School.