ALL AROUND LUFKIN
Janice Ann Rowe

My column for last week was lost in cyber space between Lufkin and Kilgore so here is a belated last week's column plus news from this week. Thanks to all of you who missed me. I'll promise not to let it happen again.

Lesley Cates is the wedding and events coordinator two days a week at the Bed and Breakfast Wisteria Hide A Way owned by Ron and Brenda Cole. The other time she is baking her specialty pies, cakes, birthday and wedding cakes. Dean Cates is the executive chef at Stephen F. Austin State University over catering and banquets. They have a 2 and a half-year-old son, Ethan that keeps them busy. Carolyn and Roy Cates had Amy, Rusty, Blake and Gentry Ford along with Marie Ford, Dean and Lesley and Ethan Cates for Thanksgiving. Dean and Lesley did not cook. Carolyn did it all.

I mentioned Paul Wood was the manager of Farechild's Classic American Dining in Nacogdoches and I had the wrong Paul. It is Paul Darden. Sorry Paul Wood, keep selling those Toyota products.

Thanksgiving weekend found my Julie and Rocky Morris in town with Ernest and me gone. They had been invited to have Thanksgiving with Mary Jane and Jim West and their children Rebecca and Scotty at their clubhouse at Hudson. So they came and enjoyed the day with the Wests and Sid Medford, Len and Phil Medford. After the meal, the highlight for Julie was to see Jim and Scotty skin and dress the 8-point deer that Scotty killed.

NO MONKEYING AROUND - Swing into the Museum of East Texas and check out the largest Christmas tree display ever, which includes themed trees such as this "circus tree," as well as traditional, Santas, candy canes, and pink flamingos. The more than 70 trees will be on display through 8 p.m. Friday.

LaNell (Johnson) Marsellos and Floyd were in Abilene to see granddaughter, Elizabeth Teugel, dance in the Nutcracker as the sugar plum fairy. She is the daughter of Vicki and Greg Teugel. Elizabeth has been accepted to the University of Oklahoma and will be in their school of dance. LaNell made every performance of the Abilene Ballet Company that was in the old Paramount Theater that had been restored. It was the 20th anniversary of the ballet company. Elizabeth has been dancing in the Nutcracker since she was four, but this was the first to be the sugar plum fairy.

Joyce and Glenn Wallace just returned from spending several days in Galveston. They ate entirely too much good seafood and also went to the "Festival of Lights" at Moody Gardens. This was quite good and the sound effects that were with each group of lights added even more to it. It is a one mile walking light exhibit winding through Moody Gardens or if you are unable to walk the mile the gardens had drivers with 4 to 6 person carts and they would drive you. It was worth going to see.

Martha and Ray Carswell had not seen granddaughters Emma and Abby in seven weeks and it was Abby's second birthday. They were at the Woodlands for the weekend with granddaughters and Jon and Jill Carswell for the birthday party.

Belated Happy Birthday: Burtley Hicks, Brenda Jones, Charles Teutsch, Athalea Akridge, James Hinson, Mark Johnson, Debbie Brown, Gordon Jones, Joe Byrd, Barbara Ray, Joyce Gray, Jon Carswell, Mike Davis, Bill Fenley, Linda Latimer, Carolyn Beavers, Jennifer Cumbie, Dennis Rankin, Mary Etta Moreau, Jack Kennedy, Jordan Brittain, Barbara Holmes, Sydney Chandler, Mary Ann Reeves, Gary Bezanson, Dry Hinson.

Belated Happy Anniversary: Wanda and Jimmy Wankan, Kym and David Guzman, Cathy and Mark Kettering, Susanne and David Lively, Dawn and Ed Glover.

Carol and Jerry Moore introduced a big crowd of friends to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Moore at a reception honoring Benjamin and Melinda at the Moore Farm. They had transformed the farm into a ballroom setting complete with a big band and a surprise visit from Elvis. Many enjoyed dancing to the music. Candelabras were on the tables under a huge tent. The weather was delightful outside, and the company was even better. Congratulations to Benjamin and Melinda who were married Thanksgiving weekend in the horrible weather.

The Museum of East Texas opened the exhibit by John Daniel at the 31 st annual Member's Gala. The 13th annual Festival of Trees is open to the general public through January 6 and there is no charge for admission. The Museum is open until 8 p.m. from December 19-21 and special events are scheduled for those evenings. This year's Festival of Trees is the largest yet, with seventy spectacular trees on display. Each tree has been lovingly decorated with its own theme and message and trees are sponsored by individuals and businesses in the community. Visitors are certain to find a tree that delights them and becomes a favorite. Tree themes range from collegiate and high schools to professions, from traditional Santas and candy canes to pink flamingoes and a circus tree. The display is a feast for the eyes that will delight all ages. Cameras are welcome. Admission to see the trees is free and the funds raised from the tree sponsors are used in a variety of ways. The majority of the funds sponsor children's Art Camp scholarships. This year's funding will also contribute to a highly anticipated Audubon exhibit in 2009. The Museum Guild is also planning a cookbook in 2008 and an Arts Festival in 2009.

At the Museum's 31st Annual Members' Gala it was extra special, as the Honorable Mayor Jack Gorden and members of City Council presented Medals of Meritorious Honor to the founding mothers--the ladies who created the Museum from a conversation started around a kitchen table. These remarkable women, Jane Cornelius (deceased), Joan Duncan, Jan Brookshire Osgood, Velma Reese, Nancy Reily, Sally Selman and Emily Shelton, made their dream a reality and converted a burned-out shell of a church into the dynamic cultural center it is today. The Museum Guild was thrilled to honor them. Pictures from the Gala are posted on the web at: http://metlufkin.blogspot.com/.

Mike Arnold has four tickets to see LSU vs. Ohio State in the BCS National Championship game in New Orleans. He was teasing his son, Andy Arnold, that he might sell them on eBay.

Jan and Bill Osgood were out on Sunday morning for their run while visiting her mom Audie Brookshire.

Mary Neil Birmingham was in town visiting her mom Mary and Joe Byrd.

Oscar Dillahunty was in College Station over the weekend sitting with grandsons Matthew (15) and Mark (8) while their parents Ann and Curt Mackey were in Dallas for Curt's company office party. Oscar tried to organize grandson Taylor Haney but he was busy. Oscar had to eat Friday night by himself and drove through McDonalds.

I had bursitis in my hip and had to miss the CASA tour. Rebecca West came and helped me decorate the Christmas tree and put up garlands.

It was crowded at An Evening in Old Bethlehem on Friday night. The weather cooperated, and we went early to see JonAnna and Glen Arnold and their three-week-old Addyson who was Baby Jesus. Kimberlin Arnold was the angel and Charlie Arnold was a shepherd. This event is always a wonderful way to start the Christmas holiday season.

The Lufkin High School Panther Pride and the Junior Varsity Drill Team will present their Christmas Spectacular on Wednesday, December 19 at 7 p.m. at the Lufkin Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased from any drill team or j.v. drill girl or at the door. I asked Panther Pride Drill Team director Johanna Walker why she was doing this at Christmas time and she said they wanted to add to their performances and to their repertoire. Debbie Hemphill is the junior varsity director. The show will only be one hour so make plans to see what they have to show and then they will be getting ready for their Spring Show.

Happy Birthday: Robbie Warren, Lee Slaughter, Mary Byrd, Mark Spurgeon, Tom Tayloe, Travis Spore, Daniel Perry, Sarah Rich, Jerry Moore, Jeanie McCusker, Mark Kettering, Mike Hunter, Carolyn Tipton, Cathy Pavlic, Jason Camp.

Happy Anniversary: Bill and Anita Lenderman, George and Laura Thannisch, Jimmie and Bob Putnam, Sara Beth and Charles Teutsch, Patty and Jim Stephens, Betty and Mack Camp, Irene and Arnold Hendricks.

Jolene Alsbrooks at Final Touch Salon is retiring after 44 years as a hair stylist. She previously owned Talk of the Town. Her last days will be December 27 and 28.

The Ernest Medford Sunday School Class had their Christmas Party at the home of Jean and Ray Jayroe. Those attending were: Nancy and Thomas Moore, Martha and Ray Carswell, Tony and Bob Brown, Woodie Hicks, Joan Hanger, Connie and John Porter, Judy and Karl McKinney, Carolyn and Ed Booth, Jack Watson, Ernest and me, Mike and Enid Hunter, Cory Glover, Artie Anderson, Kathy Barnes, and Dwyane Dunn. Christmas ornaments were exchanged and Martha Carswell was awarded a telephone ornament for being the class switchboard operator and doing the calling for the class.

Landon and Kari Spurgeon are the proud parents of Makenzie Anne Spurgeon born December 12 and weighing 6 lbs 4 oz. and 19 inches long. Her grand parents are LeeAnn Lipscomb and Mark Spurgeon, Sue and Terry Faircloth. Great-grandparents are Jimmie and Bob Putnam and Helen Williams of Pineland. Greatgreat grandmother is Evie Smith. Landon works in Nacogdoches for S & W Expert Collision Repairs as an estimator. Kari is a petroleum "landman" working for a company from Tyler. Other family members at the birth in Nacogdoches were Aunts Kimberly Faircloth, Lauren Spurgeon, and Great-Aunt Cindy Spurgeon.

Ernest and I went to the Lady Panther Softball Spaghetti Supper last week and met Ray and Martha Carswell. Nicki Forrest, the softball coach, said the season starts in January.

James Hinson was honored on his 90th birthday by daughters Barbara and Bob Williams from Rockport and Sue Bohn from Portland, Texas. All the grandchildren, Julie Madsen and husband Eric from Houston, Jimmy Bohn and wife Kimberly from Austin, Paige Williams from Raleigh North Carolina, and Jason Guin from Austin, were in attendance. "Dry" was enjoying visiting in her pretty red outfit.

The Empire Buffet Chinese Restaurant is open. We saw Mary Jane and Jim West, Trish and Jim Kennedy, Sharon Rudis and children, E'Lisa and Jim Hurst. There was a big crowd.

My 8-year-old granddaughter Sarah Herde told me last week that she had a créche in her room. She said that Baby Jesus was out of the manger because he really should not be there until Christmas Day and she had him to the side and was moving him closer to the manger each day. She made me stop and think that Baby Jesus is in our hearts and will always be near the manger even if it is not Christmas Day. My Baby Jesus is out of the manger in my créche and he will appear on December 25. Merry Christmas!!!

Catch you around town. Janice Ann email: roweja@suddenlink.net