History Center Press Clippings .
Events from the pages of The Free Press
(Held from last week)

Photo Courtesy of The History Center THIRTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH - Ronnie Johnson (10) has come alive as Diboll's scoring ace the past two games. Johnson, shown here fighting Lufkin's Chris Wortham for a rebound. Johnson is one of four Lumberjacks now regularly scoring in double figures as Coach John McGilvra's Lumberjacks have come alive to win three of their last four games.

Lonnie Williams, pastor of the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in Diboll, offers words of encouragement and faith to GED graduates of the Diboll Correctional Center.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn visits Temple-Inland in Diboll for meeting with organization's leaders and discusses timber tax reform and other forestry issues.

The first annual Huntington Softball Reindeer One-Mile Run is held at Huntington High School. T-shirts are awarded to all the participants.

The 2006 Book Angel Program conducted by the T.L.L. Memorial in Diboll nets 121 books to be shared with children and families that do not have access to books.

Robert G. Samford is named Director of Local Government Affairs/Property Taxes for Temple Inland, Inc.

THIRTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH Clearing work is under way for the new Temple-Eastex complex in Whispering Pines Park in Diboll. The site has been moved to the far east side of the 40-acre site so that the large pine trees on the front side can be preserved. The threestory 70,000 square foot complex will be completed in about a year and will be headquarters for Temple- Eastex Incorporated and for the Temple Division of that corporation. The site is bounded by White Oak Creek, Farm Road 1818 and Highway 59. Photo Courtesy of The History Center

FIVE YEARS AGO

Captain Ted Lovett, EMT Coordinator with the City of Lufkin, speaks to the residents of Trinity Mission of Diboll on the recognition of signs of heart attacks, strokes and fire safety.

Melinda Kartye, executive director of Angelina Beautiful/Clean, resigns to accept position as recycling coordinator for City of Lufkin.

VFW Post #1836 and Post Commander Billy Parker give monetary gifts to Hospice in the Pines, Christian Information Service Center, Crimestoppers and Angelina County Senior Citizen's Center. Each received $500.

Raymond and Sophie Lenderman celebrate 50th wedding anniversary with reception at First Baptist Church in Diboll hosted by their children.

Corrigan-Camden uses the tireless running of Eric, David & Lovell Foreman to pound out 33-14 win over the Bangs Dragons to capture State Class 2A Division Championship.

Lufkin Panthers can't hold 16-point lead, falls to Southlake Carroll Dragons 33-30 in 5A State Semifinal football contest.

TEN YEARS AGO

Diboll City Council authorizes engineers to proceed with street repairs in the Deer Trace subdivision. Engineering consultant Billy Sims states the cost for the city to be approximately $52,000. Angelina County Sheriff Deputy Kent Havard is awarded the Community Service Award by the Businessmen Understanding Local Law Enforcement (BULLET). Havard is the county's Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer.

Voice of Democracy winners at Diboll High School are first place winner Melanie Wilkerson, second place goes to Sabrina Skough and third place is Ave Marie Rodriquez. Twentysix students participated in local Voice of Democracy Program, sponsored by VFW Post #8933.

Diboll Girl Scout Troop #9225 visits AstroWorld. Making the trip are Samantha Yarborough, Amy Allen, Valerie Tamez, Kimberly Denman, LaShawn Arceneaux, Erica Meza, Cristina Guajarde, Phobie Villagrana, Troop Leader Joyce Arceneaux and helpers Irma Montoya, Lucy Aguilar, Laura Hernandez and Terresa Sosa.

Susan Stutts, formerly with Temple-Inland Forest Products,

named to the position of program director with the Texas Forestry Association.

First Team selection in District 20-3A football includes Diboll's Jeff Vanover, quarterback; Darrin Oliphant, receiver' Lionel Garr, lineman; and Demorea Hadnot, running back.

Most Valuable Player in District 20-3A is Devlin Foreman of State Champion Corrigan- Camden Bulldogs.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

A large crowd is on hand for the consecration of the new fellowship hall at the First United Methodist Church in Diboll. It also marks the 90th anniversary of the church. One of the special guests to attend is longtime church member Mrs. W.F. Purdy who arrived from Wimberly, Texas.

Diboll's Nita Hurley graduates from Stephen F. Austin State University as it's top graduate with perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Lufkin city commissioners approve allowing 11 police vehicles to display plain license plates and no visible police markings.

Woodrow Wood of Diboll is recognized by the Texas Society, Children of the American Revolution for his "unselfish service to TSCAR.

THIRTY YEARS

AGO

Diboll High School 1977-78 basketball team members include John Fenley, Paul Bradshaw, Neil McGilvra, Stephan Handy, Larry Williams, Lee Adair, Ronnie Johnson, Amos Alexander, Johnny Lewis, Ricky Kyle, Stephan Rodgers, Richard Crager, Gregg Spivey and Coach John McGilvra, who is in his tenth year at DHS and the winningest basketball coach in the school's history.

Angelina College Lady Roadrunners defeat Rice University for the second time this season with a 94-61 win at Shands Gym. The AC women now sports 10- 6 record.

Huntington High School sophomore Kim Mosley is selected 1977 Homecoming Queen. Other queen candidates include Lisa Hale, Libby Flurry, Lynn Holland, Shelia Baker, Shelia Pinner and Dedra Platt.

Temple-Eastex names six new group vice presidents. Newly promoted are Henry Holubec, Gex Conditt, Kenneth Nelson, W. Ray Frye, Don V. Hackney and Wayne McDonald.

ONE YEAR AGO

Diboll ISD Superintendent Horace Williams accepts superintendent position with the Cedar Hill ISD.

Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents considers naming Dr. Baker Pattillo as sole finalist for university president.

The Diboll Garden Club meets at Lufkin for its December meeting and is entertained with a Christmas story and song. Hostess for the meeting is Ginger Capps and Peggy Burt.

The Diboll Ladyjacks topple the Rusk Lady Eagles 63-22 in 20-3A basketball action that sets district record with perfect 3-0 and season record at 14-2.

FIVE YEARS AGO

T.L.L. Temple Memorial Library in Diboll present Christmas puppet show, "Snowbound the Penguin."

Former Diboll High School football standout Jeff Vanover, presently the inside linebacker for the Rice University Owls, is named to the All-Western Athletic Conference Team. Vanover leads the Owls in tackles this season.

JoVina Harris of the Diboll Police Department and Debra L. Farr-Smith of the Lufkin Police Department complete Emergency Management Institute's Integrated Emergency Management Course

IEMC).

Chris Miller is honored at Diboll High School Athletic Sports Banquet as the Most Valuable Player for the football Lumberjacks. Miller was team's leading rusher, passer, led in scoring and tied for the lead in tackles.

Members of the minimally invasive total hip replacement team at Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin include Monica Hightower, RN; Astor Rodriquez Lopez, CST; David Tankersley, PA; Paulette Cates, RN; Vickie Van Kalta, RN; Felicia Loggins, RN; and Dr. Dan Carter.

TEN YEARS AGO

Jose Carrillo accepts house keys from Habitat for Humanities to take possession of the Carrillo family's new home on South First Street in Diboll. It is the second house built by Habitat for Humanities in Angelina County.

Fleetwood Transportation Services, located in Burke, announce the addition of Sonny Carrell to the company. Carrell brings 32 years of driving and management experience and will serve as director of flatbed operations.

Diboll Police Officer Jim Lenderman is selected Diboll City Employee of the Week. Lenderman has been with the Diboll Police Department for 8 years.

Nathan Edwards, State Farm Insurance agent in Diboll for the past 30 years, announce his retirement.

Hester Virginia (Stanley) Grimes of the Saron Community near Zavalla, celebrates 85th birthday.

Diboll High School Ladyjacks named to the All-District 20-3A Volleyball Team are Maria Perez, honorable mention; Jessica Rayburn, first team; Andra Mark, second team; Sharee Joshua, second team; Andra Reyes, honorable mention; and Kiana Scott, New Comer of the Year.

Longtime First Bank & Trust East Texas employees, Jerry Jones (25 years) and Felton Burt (28 years) are honored with retirement reception.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Temple-Eastex's Particleboard Operation's December Employees of the Month are Ruth Willis and Rose Jasso (hourly employees) and Bobby Amason (supervisor).

Conner and Lizzie Bell of Diboll grow 16 pound 9 ounce sweet potato in family vegetable garden.

Lufkin physician Dr. Frank Denman is voted into life membership by the Texas Medical Association.

Veteran news broadcaster Jim Bell is named director of news and information programming for Lufkin radio stations KRBA and KUEZ-FM.

The Temple-Eastex Choir performs its seventh annual Christmas concert in the corporate office lobby. Choir members for the first time wear new robes purchased by Arthur Temple.

List of nine candidates apply for Angelina County Commissioner Precinct One position. The lists of candidates that have filed include Bill Hathorn, Bud Bonner, Billy Brewer, Earl Chance, Billy Hendry, Kenneth Foster, Terry Clark, John LaRue and Kenneth Crawford.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the new Temple- Eastex Incorporated office complex in Diboll. Among those having a turn with gold shovels are Joe C. Denman, president and CEO; Mrs. Arthur Temple, Sr., mother of Arthur Temple, Jr., and Arthur Temple, Jr. chairman of Temple-Eastex.

Ronal Brandon becomes the first member of the Diboll Police Department to be awarded sergeant's stripes. Sergeant Brandon is three-year veteran of the local force.

Special awards are presented at the annual Diboll Volunteer Fire Department Banquet. Charles Mann is honored as Fireman of the Year; Dick Hendrick is honored for his 35 years with the DVFD; and a merit award is received by secretarytreasure Clyde Maxey.