History Center Press Clippings . . . . Events from the pages of The Free Press

A Public Service of The History Center

ONE YEAR AGO

The United Way board of directors set 2006 campaign goal of $645,000 announces campaign chairman Tina Alexander.

Auditions are being held at the Wright Music Building on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches for middle and high school students who want to join the Piney Woods Youth Orchestra.

Abby Nicole Anthony of Diboll and Bradley Everett Lawrence of Hudson are united in marriage at the First Baptist Church in Diboll with Pastor Gary Fannon officiating.

Nan Miller retires after more than 20 years of volunteer service as a member of the board of directors for the Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center. Mrs. Miller receives plaque of appreciation for her civic contributions.

Melvin Johnson speaks at the Angelina County Historical Commission concerning the history of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints in Angelina County.

Team members of the Dizzy Dean World Series champions from Lufkin include Jimmy Hageon, Luis DeJesus, Kevin Roy, Chase Sorrell, Cole Johnson, Arthur Linz, Eddie Duran, Jarrick Hageon, Brian Conlin, Carrington Byndom, Brian Roy, Wes Taylor, J.P.Clifton, Stuart Hogue, Jordan Young, Michael Conlin, Don Johnson, C.D. Byndom and Beto DeJesus.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Leadership Lufkin of the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce selects Patricia Newson as this year's recipient of the Silver Spike Award. Newson of Leadership Lufkin is honored for her volunteerism with several area charities.

Marilyn Ruth Burke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ward Burke of Lufkin, weds James Ming Wong, son of Mr. and Mrs. King W. Wong of Los Angeles, California.

Members of the Lufkin Polka Dots Dance Club entertain at area nursing homes and retirement communities. Dance members include Harvey and Jetta Westerholm, Woody Gann, Lynne Ervin, Charles and Jo Pruitt, Eunice Ervin, A.O. Smith, Ramona Bagley, Jo Davis, Owen and Wilda Kay, Don and Sue Brawley, J. R. and Janette Cox, George Guthrie, Joel Towers and Arvey Vincent.

The Nacogdoches red River Radio Americana Music Festival commences in downtown Nacogdoches with music entertainment from Guy Clark and the Gourds, The Mayhaw Brothers, Miki Lynn, Cele & Little Doches, The Old Time Strings, The Gillette Brothers and Jealousy Motel.

Kirbyville, Jasper, Woodville and Newton join Diboll in District 20-3A following this year's UIL reclassification.

Joe and Sue Baker celebrate 30th wedding anniversary with reception at Southside Baptist Church in Lufkin hosted by their children.

TEN YEARS AGO

Air National Guard Airman First Class Marissa V. Fernandez, daughter of Eloy Fernandez of Lufkin, graduates from basic military training at Lackland, Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Lufkin's Dixie Majors baseball team win first of two world series with come-from-behind wins. Lufkin fell behind Florida 5-0 and came back to win 8-6; also fell behind Georgia 4-0 to come back and win 6-5.

Lufkin Industries acquires Fannie Lee Mitchell of Texas, an oil field pumping unit service company of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.

Melissa J. McGee is named Senior Tax Accountant for Temple-Inland.

The Weidel Family, singers of "that good old Southern style gospel music" performs in concert at Trinity Baptist Church in Lufkin.

Newly elected officers of the 1997-1998 Pilot Club of Diboll include: Nina Neyland, director; Essie Hankins, director; Bettie Havard, treasurer; Barbara Nash, president-elect; Brenda Russell, out-going president; Esther Barger, secretary; Johnnye Devereaux, director; and Edythe Weeks, installing officer.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Lufkin city councilmen discuss the continuing problem of a lack of minority police officers and some council members suggest the civil service test being used may be the main reason.

Sarah Tatum is named Woodland Heights Medical Center "Employee of the Quarter." Tatum assists the hospital's Director of Inpatient Services.

David DeJesus of Diboll is promoted in the U.S. Army to the rank of corporal. DeJesus is an armor crew member with the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Angelina County Commissioners awards bids totaling $550,000 to continue improvements at the county airports. Improvements include extensions of the taxi and runway and the building of a new entrance road to the airport.

Timberline and Ronnie Markle are award contracts to tear down the old Diboll gym at the elementary school campus. The 49-year-old facility is considered structurally unsound by school officials and the demolition will provide needed playground space.

The Lufkin and Diboll VFW posts donate new U.S. and Texas flags to the T.L.L. Temple Memorial Library in Diboll. County veteran's service officer Billy Parker of Lufkin VFW Post 1836 and Carl Halsell of Diboll VFW Post 8933 makes the presentation.

Diboll Congregational Methodist Church, A and 1st Street, host a "pounding" and fellowship meeting to welcome incoming Pastor Rev. and Mrs. Rudy Duran and sons Michael and Jason. Rev. Duran formerly pastured the Congregational Methodist Church in Clute, Texas.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Marine Sergeant Jon D. Bunn of Lufkin is promoted to his present rank while serving at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.

Melissa Harnett is the last person to win a bicycle in The Free Press summer subscription campaign. Melissa is the 15th winner in this year's campaign. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Harnett of Diboll.

Mike Crim is named assistant editor of The Free Press. Crim's duties also include reporter, photography and advertising.

Rev. John H. Barnes is called as pastor of First Baptist Church of Diboll. Rev. Barnes and wife Delores, daughter Karla and son Todd comes to Diboll from the Central Baptist Church in Crockett, Texas.

The Diboll Police Department moves into their new quarters in the Public Safety Building next door to City Hall.

The Diboll School Board hires five new teachers. Newly hired are Kathryn Holberg, Regilda Shaddix and Nancy Trout, all at the elementary school; Bennie Mangram, building trades instructor; Barbara Unsell, high school English teacher and coach. The board also hired former Beaumont assistant Fred Bland as head football coach/athletic director.