News From The Round Table At Pouland's

Shirley Terrell and her traveling friend, Juanita Johnston from Redland, have returned from a seven-day trip to Howard, Ohio. They covered lots of territory in a short time that included: seeing at Danville the longest covered bridge in Ohio; seeing 300-foot deep gorge at Mohican Park; touring the Bible Walk Museum in Mansfield; touring the Helnic Cheese House in Berlin; touring the Thomas Edison birthplace and museum in Milam and the Marble Head Lighthouse which is the oldest continuous working lighthouse in Ohio.

They had picnics at the Veteran's Memorial Park, the Workman's Cabin Park and the Tappen Lake/Dam. In Walnut Creek they enjoyed touring the Yoder Home museum and visiting an actual Amish working farm. They saw picture perfect gardens and flower beds with fragrant lilacs. They also enjoyed fresh baked bread, cookies and buckeyes made with peanut butter, caramel and chocolate. The girls had a good time and are already planning their next trip.

The RT was visited with a couple of Amish families who were on their way back home to Beeville. Since Amish pride themselves at being independent, they do not own or drive cars. They will hire a driver and van to carry them places when it is necessary for them to leave home. The families of John and Joe Yoder were returning from a funeral in Indiana when they had trailer tire problems and found us. They were pulling an old trailer full of lumber that they will use in making their custom made furniture and cabinets. They were easily recognized with their traditional Amish dress, hats and bonnets including the children and baby. The guys left us their "community" telephone number if anyone is interested in community services that include: produce, horse shoeing, training horses, new and rebuilt carriages and baked goods. The number is 361-362-1408.

Carol Chalfant stopped by early one morning and brought us freshly baked zucchini bread and also a very large fresh zucchini that must have been at least 18 inches long. The bread was delicious and very nutritious with walnuts and cinnamon. Carol said the vegetable came from the garden of Susan and Richard Mendola who live out 103W. Since retiring Susan is taking art lessons and met Carol at the First Street Art Gallery. She invited Carol to come look at their garden. Carol said you can't miss their place because of the multitude of sunflowers in front of the house. You can't get close to them because there are so many honey bees attracted to the sunflowers. Anyway, Carol said Richard and Susan decided to plant a garden and they have almost every variety of green bean and squash plus peanuts and lots more. It is picture perfect!

Carol Chalfant is a busy person since retiring from Temple Inland's sales department. She is a Master Gardener who gives informative programs; she volunteers at Pine Crest and the First Street Art Gallery, she works in her yard, she swims several times a week, she is always taking food to her friends and neighbors (and the RT), loves to travel and is just a likable person. She and her husband Lynn have lived in Texas for 20 years which is longer than any other place they have lived. Growing up, Carol moved every year that she was in school; that's so hard for me to comprehend since we have never moved from our hometown of Diboll. Thanks again Carol for the bread.

Enjoyed visiting with Bob Barrett who is now retired and building a house in Barnes. Being born in Camden he and I had lots of mutual acquaintances. His wife is the former Eva Handley from Barnes. Their home is now in La- Porte but they previously lived in Anahuac where he was superintendent of the school district. He is the one responsible for hiring coach Gary Martel from Diboll and moving his family to Anahuac. Thank goodness they found their way back to Diboll.

A lot of you know Gregg Mullins. He sends me e-mails and pictures from time to time. He and his wife Mary have been feeding raccoons in their backyard for quite awhile. Gregg sent me a cute picture of a mother coon and four babies on top of their backyard fence. Gregg's dad, Howard Mullins, told me they have counted as many as 22 coons in the yard at one time! Gregg has had Lou Gehrig's disease for a number of years and is confined to a recliner beside his bed in the living room of their home. His parents, Howard and Ruth Mullins, have been attentive caregivers during the day and some weekends and his wife Mary is there at night. When you walk in to see Gregg he communicates "hello" with a beautiful smile, family members can read his lips, otherwise, he communicates using a special computer adapted for head movements. So it is a real treat to receive an e-mail from Gregg knowing how he does it. Thank you, Gregg, keep those cards and letters (and pictures) coming!

Diboll eighth grader Hallie Smith, with her parents, Chuck and Wendy, her sister Emily and brother Logan, spent nine days in Gonzales. Hallie qualified in five different events at the Wrangler Junior High State Rodeo. She will compete in barrels, goat tying, break away and ribbon roping. The fifth event is competing for the Wrangler State Princess contest which includes modeling, interview, speech and of course, horsemanship. She recently won the title of Duchess of the Jasper Lion's Club Rodeo. Congratulations. We hope Hallie is one of the top four who will go on to Gallup, N.M. Good Luck!

Carolyn and Bill Dean Yates came in together and we learned that Carolyn is leaving the Home Economics department at Centerville ISD to teach P.E. at Corrigan ISD. She is excited to get out of the kitchen and be outside where she will also be the girls head track coach. What a difference but she can handle it.

E. W. and Faye Scarborough came in together. While E.W. was buying a new toy, an extendable pole saw, Faye visited with Geraldine at the RT. E.W. said this pole saw will make his bush hogging a lot easier. He left with a big smile and Faye was happy too!

Lewis Mitchell came in to get a flat fixed. He works next door at Polk's. Bobby Dan Hightower took time from his busy schedule to visit at the RT and Joe Paul Stovall was shocked when he realized he had visited at the RT for almost two hours. It takes a awhile to visit with everyone that comes by! Y'all come too and see us… 'round the table.