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

A Public Service of The History Center

ONE YEAR AGO

Hundreds of children, many of them perched on their father's shoulders, are on hand for the official lighting ceremonies of “Rudolph the Red Nosed pumping Unit,” hosted by Lufkin Mall and Lufkin Industries.

Arthur Temple speaks at the Showcase of Honorees in Civil and Human Rights, a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an event held at Lufkin City Hall.

Diboll High School twirlers Traci Parish, Veronica Ivey and Head Twirler Meagan Hensley, heads to state competition after earning a first division rating at UIL Regional contest in Lufkin.

Flames from a sudden wildfire destroy more than 12 acres of forest in Polk County south of Diboll along Highway 59.

Ernest L. Kurth and A.D. Folwieler are inducted into the Texas Forestry Hall of Fame at the Texas Forestry Museum in Lufkin.

The Pricilla Circle of the Huntington United Methodist Church hold their annual gumbo and rummage sale in the fellowship hall of the church located on Highway 69.

Members of the Lil' Rampage from Lufkin Select Team travels to Humble for the Toys for Tots Tournament and bring back the First Place trophy for ages eight and under. Members of the team are Sidney Hurley, Lauren Camp, Krissy Capps, Jesilyn Reyes, Ali Bartlett, Lindsey McElveen, Marie Mireles, Madison Warnasch, Lindsey Akridge, Marin Thomas, Randi Layton, Rachel Hill and coaches Jason Camp, Will Thomas, Michael Warnasch and Rck Hill.

Carl and Bertha Pavlic celebrate 58th wedding anniversary with family dinner at Brazos Cattle Company in Lufkin.

The Angelina College student publications staff wins five awards at the Texas Community College Journalism Association Convention held in Amarillo. Staff members of the AC's newspaper, The Pacer include: Angel Moore, associate editor; Don Arnold, photographer; Daniel Guyton, sports editor; and Libby Stapleton, coordinator for student publication at AC.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Ellen Trout Zoo welcomes 2 two and half year old hippopotamuses to replace the zoo's first inhabitant, Hippy, who died in May of 1997. The two hippos were bought from a zoological institute near Orlando, Florida.

Lufkin Industries lays of ninety-seven employees as result of the continued downturn in the economy.

The City of Diboll receives check for $53,306 for its November state sales tax rebate.

Wanda Clark and Lois Hurd of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 8933 showcase the Veterans Memorial Wall on Park Street in Diboll which is nearing completion.

Bro. Walter Sharry celebrates 80th birthday with special celebration at Lakeview Baptist Church hosted by family and friends.

Temple-Inland's foresters are nearing completion of all site preparation work necessary for the 2001-02 planting season.

Diboll High School Senior Alisha Fowler signs college letter-of-intent to play next season for Sam Houston State University on an athletic scholarship in volleyball and track.

Pollok's Central High School boys varsity wins own Bulldog Invitational Basketball Tournament. High point man for the CHS is Randall Carlisle with 15 points- all three-pointers.

Angelina College drops hard fought 102-95 decision to Bossier Parish Community College in basketball action at Shands Gym on the campus of Angelina College.

Diboll High School Lumberjack linebacker Roman Taylor is voted Defensive Player of the Year in District 20-3A.

Lufkin Panthers wallop Dallas Carter Cowboys 35-16 to wrap up bi-district title in the Class 5-A playoff run.

Craig Young rushes for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Diboll Lumberjacks to 49-28 victory over the Groesbeck Goats in bi-district playoff win.

TEN YEARS AGO

Ken Holt of Diboll is presented the Pilot Club Citizen of the Month for November for his outstanding community service.

The History Literary Club meets in the home of Mrs. Nan Miller and a review of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin is given by Mrs. W.R. Bryant.

Elected to the Huntington Methodist Church Evangelism Committee for 1997 are: chairperson, Janice Wilroy; membership visiting team, Catherine Carrell, Helen Herrington, Polly Tinkle, Bernice Alexander and Billard Marion Tweed; outreach visiting team, Evelyn Blattner, Gordon and Ann Perry, Kippy and Karen Hopson; and publicist, Juanita Hopson.

Dr. Robert I. Garrett is honored with plaque commemorating his years of service on the board of directors of the Angelina County Appraisal District. Dr. Garrett, the only remaining original board member is retiring from the board at the end of the year.

South Meadows Health and Rehabilitation in Diboll welcomes three new employees. Newly hired are: Sharon Laird, RN; Janis Perritte, RN; and Paula Ramsey, marketing director.

Diboll Special Olympian bowlers participate in the Area VII bowling tournament held in Longview. Special Olympians include Fernanda de la Cerda, Jeneth Lopez, Patricia Capps, Jeffery Moseley, Josmine Phipps, Shane Kasper, Matthew Moseley and coaches Stephanie Cook, Diane Tate and Becki Lewis.

Diboll Lady Jack basketball squad win one game, lose two in Latexo Basketball Tournament. Diboll defeats Corrigan 67-64 but lose to Buffalo 86-45 and Latexo 68-60.

Friday Night Lights: Alto Yellow Jackets rout Deweyville 69-13 and Groveton blanks Franklin 46-0 to set big playoff match up at Stephen F. Austin State University Homer Bryce Stadium.

Diboll's Bud Still finishes in tie for third place at the PGA Tour Qualifing Second Stage in Kingwood.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Private First Class Bobby R. Seago, of Bronson, completes one station unit training (OSUT) at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.

The Baldknobbers Hillbilly Jamboree Show from Branson, Missouri, performs their show at the Lufkin Civic Center, sponsored by the Angelina Roadrunner Club.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe C. Denman Jr. are the first Pillar Contributors in a community-wide drive to complete the Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center in Diboll.

Local artist Aubrey Medford, signs her print of “Spring Splendor” at Deck the Walls in the Lufkin Mall.

Mrs. Myrtle Lawrence is chosen as the resident of the month at South Meadows Nursing Home in Diboll. Mrs. Lawrence enjoys daily walks and working cross-word puzzles.

Temple-Eastex Incorporated's Fiber Products November Employee of the Month is Cecil Hance, 14-year employee of the company, is a cherry picker operator and Class A mechanic for the construction crew.

The Friends of Kurth Memorial Library holds annual used book sales. Proceeds from the sale go toward the renovation of the library.

Bob Bowman, local historian and author of 12 books, speaks to the Angelina County Historical Forum on the history of the banking system of Lufkin and Angelina County.

Diboll has ten first-team selection and 20 over-all and Head Coach Bobby Baker receives Coach of the Year honors in District 18-3A.

Kim Havard takes first place, Craig Yates, second place and Sherri Capps third in the “Voice of Democracy” writing contest sponsored by the Diboll VFW and conducted through Linda Cordell's English classes at Diboll High School.

Hambro Quartet of Pianos performs in concert in Lufkin High School auditorium, sponsored by the Community Concert Association.

Redland United Methodist Church holds its Fall Bazaar at its fellowship hall with beautiful handmade items, baked goods and white elephant sale.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Diboll City Council pass ordinance prohibiting the exhibition, but not the sale of magazines, books or pamphlets that contain obscene, lewd or lascivious material.

Texas National Bank in Lufkin donates $250 to the Hudson schools toward operating expenses for the newly built library building.

Glenda Ellington, Huntington High School freshman, is named Homecoming Queen at the annual high school activities. Miss Ellington's escort is Phil Carrell. Jonis Weaver represented the junior class, Lynn Holland the sophomore class and Donna Brock the senior class.

Brookshire Bros. Inc. of Lufkin purchases Piggly Wiggly in Diboll and announces that Pavlic's Supermarket owner Carl Pavlic will manage the new Brookshire store.

The City of Diboll moves ahead with its campaign to do away with substandard or dilapidated buildings. Owners must improve or remove old buildings.

Huntington First Baptist Church celebrates 75th anniversary with old fashion dinner and morning services held by Bro. Stanley Loshe.

JoNell Placker, representing South Meadows Nursing Home of Diboll attends the 26th Annual Convention of the Texas Nursing Home Association in San Antonio.

Navy Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice Larry Barfield, of Lufkin, graduates from the 15-week Operations Specialist School at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Cavanaugh's Jewelers in Lufkin is offering a pair of 14K gold earrings with each ear piercing procedure, all for only $9.00.

C.R. and Janet Carney have grand opening of their new store, Carney's Sleep Shop & Furniture, in downtown Lufkin.

Greater Lufkin Ford is offering used 1975 Ford 2-Door Pinto-4 speed, air & 5,000 actual miles for the sales price of $2,979; 1976 Chevy Chevette, like new, for low price of $33