ALL AROUND LUFKIN
Janice Ann Rowe

Many friends and family gathered on Saturday, May 3, for an early birthday celebration for Marie Hanks Parise'. Marie turned 84 on Sunday the Fouth. The celebrants met at Alice Parise's home for birthday cake and homemade ice cream! Guests included Janice Ann Rowe, Joe and Sarah Murray, Mary Beth Clark, Lucille Parise', Katie Hayter, Tony, Janet and Grady Dennis, Ellie Stevenson, Lottie Redd, Ray and Virginia Fenley, Lisa Devaney, Dick and Jana Dixon, and Argie Nell Treadwell. The party was hosted by Alice Parise', Sally Jo Parise', Brian Petty, Mistie, Chad and Caleb Murray, Ashley Parise' and Aislyn Garbs.

The Soccer Sisters won the 13 years and under district tournament in Katy and will go to State in Austin. Those on the team are Katy McBride, Natalie Denman, Madison Bartlett, Shelby Smitherman, Alana Russell, Alana Bennett, Lacy Richey, Kayla Powell, Mollie Taylor, Anna Catherine Alvis, Lauren Skelton, Sarah Levins, Savannah Radke, Moriah Phillips, Vanessa Luna, Darcy Jackson and Lee Ann Duke. Coaches are Jim Denman, Max Alvis and Jermaine "England" McCarthy.

Joey Koch, son of John and Laura Koch, and his wife Rebekah, daughter of Tommy and Linda Wright of San Antonio, will graduate from medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on May 18. Joey will begin a family practice residency in Waco. Rebekah will begin a psychiatry residency at Scott & White in Temple where they will live.

Martha and Ray Carswell attended the dance recital of 4-year-old granddaughter Emma Carswell in The Woodlands. They had flowers for her when she finished the recital.

Happy Birthday: Delma Jean Brown, Wiley Kirkland, Ladeen Pluss, Connie Porter, Mike Spruill, Wydette Barrett, Don Parrish, Thomas Cassels, Bennie Sue Heard, Helen Kent, Louis Brown, Mack Carnes, Amy Yates, Ann Griffin, Michael Miller, Alan Moore, Mildred Clark, Mike Maberry, Kristy Wilson, Janice Ann Rowe, Jennifer Dean, Sarah Herde, Kym Guzman, Alfred Miranda, Velma Reese, Carol Riggs, Ann Cates, Jule Fenley.

Happy Anniversary: Mary Jane and Jim West, Polly and Charles Young, Martha and David Wilson, Erin and Jeff Thiebert.

Amanda Cornelius graduated from Angelina College on May 9. She is the daughter of Carol and Jim Chmielewski and the late Raymond Cornelius Jr. She received her associate degree in respiratory therapy and is working at Woodland Heights Medical Center. Amanda is the granddaughter of the late Ray and Jane Cornelius. Jamie and Leila Cornelius came from Dallas for the graduation.

Charlene Kolb and Woody Gann are engaged and will be married on June 12 in a small family wedding. Her attendants will be Steve Kolb and Anita Kolb Scoggins. Woody's attendants will be Benegene Gann Kring, Natalie Gann Crowson and Tom Gann. Judge David Walker will marry them.

St Cyprians fifth grade class went to Washington, D.C., for a week. Those going were Kelly and Terry Haney, Rachel and Rick Hill, Emily and Todd Stafford, Rebecca and Pete Werner, Sarah and Sherry Williford, Lauren and Jena Johnson, Jerry and Mary Gail McCarty, Worth and Deanne Gabriel, Ryan and Mary Moore, Jay and Rodney Howell, Reed and Jeff Glass, Trace and Wes Suiter, Devin and Dave Overdorf, Mason and Cody Amerine, Luis Salazar, Collin Brookshire and his mom Tammy Jennings and Jan Allbritton, their teacher.

The Panther Pride Drill Team members for 2008-2009 are: Captain Laura McIlveene and lieutenants Jazmin Camarillo, Jessika Morgan, Erinn Overby and Shuntaviea Hall. Seniors are Cilla Edwards, Hannah Langford, Morgan Nicholson and Jill Patterson. Returning members are Sierra Blangger, Celeste Cole, Morgan Crain, Halee Dry, Madeline Dubose, Shelby Garcia, Danielle Garrett, Azizi Hardin, Lindsay Harper, Cassie Ingle, Chrystal Jackson, Katie Kassaw, Maegan Mahoney, Pamela Ortega, Kalie Redard, Christie Squiers and Olivia Williams. New members are Morgan Berger, Leslie Clothier, Chelsie Brazeil, Julianne Ford, Kelly Hunter, Shelby Holcomb, Hannah Johnson, Shelby Jumper, Kara Keeling, Brooke Lazarine, Vanessa Lopez, Mollie Martinez, Christina Rodrigues, Aryn Ricks, Moniqua Shaw, Miranda Smith, Jessica Stovall, Lacy Strong, Claire Tyson, Amy Yates. Johnna Walker is the director; Maya Gamble is the assistant director. We look forward to good things this fall.

The CCC Rock Wall from the Texas Forest Service is being made into a wall at Bronaugh Park next to the City Hall. They are doing a great job of making the entrance to the park.

I went to Brandon's Field Day at the Expo Center. Cathey's Crackens' team with Cathey Friesen as the leader won the events. The first place team was able to ride around the arena on a trailer. These are fifth graders that will be going into Lufkin Middle School. Some that I recognized were Abby Yates, Allie Bartlett, Maci Moore, Katie Leach, Parker Ford, Paul Spore and Jeffrey Martin. Parents were Karla Yates, Hollie Bartlett, Kelley and Jimmy Ford, Ginny Spore with Maury, Kelley Moore, Patress Schaeffer, Ellen Wood, and Christina Leach. Friends were Beverly Slaughter and Alli Bartlett's grandmother Carolyn Denman and me. They all loved the tug of war that was at the end. It was exciting. Catch you around town. Janice Ann email: roweja@suddenlink.net.