"Rick, Ragan and Susan Tate, children of Connie and Gene Tate, congratulate them on their 65th wedding anniversary. They were wed October 19, 1943." We also say congratulations to these former Lufkinites.

Virginia and Bob Knibb borrowed my "A Lady's Day Out in the Texas Hill Country" book and Virginia reported that they had another "great food frenzy through the hill country".

The Honor America Night will be Saturday, Nov. 8, at Abe Martin Stadium. The Lufkin Band Boosters announce that this will be the 14th year, and the event had more than 4,000 people to attend last year. It features Lufkin School Bands, grades 6 to 12, and they honor all veterans of the U.S. armed forces. The evening begins from 4:30 to 6:30 with the all American meal of hot dogs, chips, apple pie and ice cream in the high school cafeteria. Then we move to Abe Martin Stadium at 7 p.m. for the musical presentations by the bands and the fireworks. Tickets are $5 and are on sale at Grizzley's on First Street. Mark your calendar for this special event. Jay Schwartz is the Honor America Night Coordinator. Tickets can also be purchased from band members.

The Veterans Parade is the same Saturday, Nov. 8, in downtown Lufkin. We need to support these two events.

There will be a 5-mile run and a 1-mile walk at Kit McConnico Park at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, to honor America's veterans. This is the first annual run and is sponsored by the local American Legion Auxiliary 113, VFW Post 1836, Kay Batten, Don and Ginger Lymbery, Larry Mays and the Angelina County Federal Employees Credit Union. All proceeds go to Angelina County Veterans' Emergency Fund. An Iraq veteran named Larry Mays came up with the idea of the Trail Run to help veterans. This is something that he felt that Angelina County needed. With this new fund there is a committee comprised of members from the various different veteran organizations and offices and it will be a joint effort to award funds where needed. Contributions can be made to: Rita Redd, ALA Unit 113 President, P.O. Box 2605, Lufkin, TX 75902.

Paula Korn and son-in-law Josh Senn were celebrating their birthdays with family on Oct. 20 at Cheddar's. In the group with the honorees were Greg Korn, Jessica Senn, Cassidy and Grace Korn, Martha and Charles Alexander, Geraldine and Jay Renken.

We were celebrating Karla Yates' birthday with Stephen, Amy and Abby Yates. One of the Yates' broadcast stations, 103.3 FM, has the Dallas Cowboy football games if you want to listen.

Happy Birthday: Joie Henderson, Leeanne Haglund, Marie Stubblefield, Rebecca West, Miranda and Luke Alsbrooks, Stephanie Page, Neta Le Sassier, Julie Castleberry, Linda Parker, Jay Eagle, Laura Royle, Burnice Blackstock, Cheryl Hearne, Ernest Rutland, Kathryn Craw, Madelyn Porter.

Happy Anniversary: Pauline and Joe Grisham, Lisa and John Villarreal, Sally and Bob Cain, Sue and Bob Morgan, Gay and John Ippolito.

Dorothy Brock had her daughter and family in town to help her clean up after Hurricane Ike. Son-in-law Kevin Lambing is now chief master sergeant and he and Sheliea and their children, Noah (9) and Lydia (4), are stationed in San Antonio. Sheliea home schools Noah and they called Dorothy last week and Lydia wants to come back and visit and ride the 4-wheeler. Lisa Villarreal was with Dorothy at the Panther football game and reminded me that she and John had been married 27 years.

Keith and Martha Sutton spent the weekend visiting Verne and Bonnie Larson in Shawnee, Okla. The Larsons are former residents of Lufkin who moved more than two years ago for Verne's job. The two couples enjoyed Friday Italian dinner, Saturday's St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Oktoberfest and Reformation Sunday services. The Larsons send greetings to all their Lufkin and Angel of Joy Lutheran friends.

Friday the entertainment at Cotton Square Park in downtown Lufkin will be Glenn Lenderman and the lunch for a small fee will be catered by Howard's Tea Room. This will be the last for the October Music in the Park.

Annon Card reminded me that Oct. 19, 1985, the Lufkin High School Alumni Association was founded and for the past 23 years the association has been giving scholarships to those graduates of Lufkin High School who need help going to college.

Oscar Dillahunty had abdominal aorta aneurysm repair in Houston and Jean has been nursing him since he is at home recuperating.

Mark Hicks and Todd Stracener were all smiles along with Rebecca West and Carolyn Tipton at the grand opening of The Main Event at their showroom at 205 E. Frank Ave. in downtown Lufkin. Tables were decorated with linens, dishware, glassware, flatware and tabletop décor to make your event spectacular. Drop by and see what they have to offer.

Cameron Hunter, daughter of Enid and Mike Hunter, and her fiancé Jessie Seale were honored with an engagement party with hosts Susan and Doug Ashburn, Martha and John Bates, Gay and John Ippolito, Debra and Steve Moore, Kathy Sample, Ann Watson, Mary Jane and Jim West at the home of Cathy and Lynn Pavlic. Their wedding date is Jan. 3, 2009. The couple's friends from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and friends from Diboll High School enjoyed the outside weather and stayed until 1 a.m.

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