TJM Medical Issue 2015 by editor@tjmag.com

YEARS AN ORIGINAL SINCE 2005

The Medical Issue

WELCOME : A

Note from the President

T president: Stephanie Oliver general manager: Kim Iribarren kim@tjmag.com managing editor: Beth Johnson editor@tjmag.com staff writer: Cami Rhome event photography: Lisa Crow layout and design: Macy Haffey ad design: Samantha Miller contributors: Melissa & Tiffani Jessica Tinsley Bridges Claire Brody Emily Courtney Majal Minguez Angie Nichols Bruce Partain Melissa Radke Joel Redus Jason Skinner Haley Vines Womack

he cancer scare these days is almost unbelievable. It's heartbreaking that almost on a weekly basis, a friend or loved one or acquaintance hears the words, "You have cancer."

However, the beauty in the midst of the pain is seeing the love, the strength, the encouragement, and the unity that ugly word brings. I love to see friends rally around each other. I love to see random acts of kindness begin to generate. I love to see the motivation to change bad habits and create new, healthy ones. It's truly amazing and inspiring how a fearful and dreadful word can bring a community together. Recently, I saw a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer using her situation to help others. She encouraged her social media friends to post,"'I did" or "I will" on her birthday. Saying "I did" meant they had received a mammogram, and "I will" meant that they had scheduled their mammogram. Thanks to social media, birthdays are always a fun day with little bits of love and joy sent to you all day long. I loved seeing how this woman in particular spread a healthy habit on her birthday. What a fabulous idea! A great way to celebrate someone's birthday, and to take action for your health and that of your own friends and family. There are so many ways to fight Cancer. Whether it's by volunteering, bringing a smile to a patient's face, or by rolling up your

sleeves and raising money. Anything and everything is helpful in this fight. All it takes is one person--you. If you would like to find a way to help or get involved, call your local American Cancer Society office today. Let's fight this together!

STEPHANIE OLIVER

PRESIDENT

13 HOME

MEDICAL 2015

CONTENTS

14 LIFE & DESIGN 18 BURLAP & BESTIES 24 {DIY} 26 HOMEGROWN

29 COMMUNITY 30 INSPIRING WOMAN 32 HEALTH 36 CANCER AWARENESS 38 IN THE NEWS 40 GIVING BACK

41 LIFE 42 48 54 56

SOMETHING ABUNDANT FASHION STRETCH MARKS THE DEER LEASE

59 GROWING UP 60 NORTH POLE NEWS 62 LOOK AT ME 64 SUPER KID 68 PRETTY BABIES

69 BUSINESS 70 LEADERSHIP 74 IN THE KNOW 76 CHAMBER NEWS 78 THE FREEZER SECTION

79 SPORTS & OUTDOORS 80 NATURE'S EYE 82 ON THE COURT 84 TROPHY ROOM 85 FITNESS

ON THE COVER: Stephanie Davis & her daughter, Kate | photo taken by Stephanie Davis

FLIP TO PG 29 FOR Q&A WITH STEPHANIE

936-634-7188 advertise@tjmag.com

facebook.com/tjmag twitter.com/tjmeast

in East Texas

all about style

Accessory styling is the fun part when it comes to home decorating. Details can make or break a space. Luckily there are a few accessories that will never fail you when styling small vignettes.

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14 LIFE & DESIGN | 18 BURLAP & BESTIES | 24 {DIY} | 26 HOMEGROWN

HOME

written by Claire Brody | photos by Kayla Snell

HOME : Life

& Design All About Style /// Continued

Go–To Home Decor Styling Accessories: BOOKS

Books work wonders when styling shelves or small tabletops. They are ideal when a small vignette needs height or color. Stack a few books on top of each other, and add a small vase or bowl on top. You will have a perfectly styled vignette.

Hello. I’m Claire, an interior stylist living in Austin, TX with my husband, Parker. I’m the blogger and business owner behind Claire Brody Designs. I specialize in providing unique and one of a kind spaces on an affordable budget.

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PLANTS

Plants make your home feel cozy and inviting. They add instant warmth, which is always a plus in the home. Be sure to research which plants live best inside and come up with a weekly watering schedule.

TRAYS

Trays are great when clutter needs a home. They group similar items together for a cohesive look. It’s always best to group an odd number of items.

Women in Red

photography courtesy of Savvy, the Agency

PLACES & FACES :

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written by Melissa & Tiffani

HOME : Burlap & Besties

Wood Slice Coaster

NATURE'S BEST

ree stumps are a great way to add a little free decor to your home or help you decorate a party! We rarely pass up a pile of stumps on the side of the road without stopping to get a few to add to our collection! Supplies: • branch about 3 1/2 inches in diameter • table saw • sand paper 1. Using your saw cut thin slices, less than half an inch. 2. Give both sides of your slices a light sanding. 3. Pour yourself a glass a lemonade and enjoy your new coaster!

Melissa is a housewife who loves her husband and son, Ben and Ty, more than anything else on earth. In a previous life, she was a CPA. Her passion for serving Jesus took her and Ben to Africa for two years where, among other things, she learned she can never pack too many crafting supplies. If you want to see a happy girl, give Melissa an old piece of furniture and a paintbrush then stand back and watch the magic happen. Tiffani Brantner is a part-time nurse and student, a constant crafter, party-thrower, "idea-comer-upper", and a richly rewarded wife and mother to Jeff and Cullen. Call her to come and get your old junk, she LOVES it! She'll turn it into something beautiful, create a theme, throw a party around it, and invite you as the guest of honor. You can reach Tiffani day or night at tifandmel@gmail.com.

PARTY TIP

You can also use trees to spruce up your party decor! We took some limbs and cut them with a table saw at varying heights. Then we used a paddle bit to create a hole for our candles!

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Supplies:

Stump Stool

• tree stump (ours is 18 inches tall and 16 inches in diameter) • chain saw • three furniture legs • screws and drill • paint and brush • sand paper • polyurethane and brush 1. Use your chain saw to cut your stump to your desired height. 2. Remove any bark from your stump. 3. Paint your furniture legs. 4. Once dry, attach your legs to the bottom of your stump using your drill and screws. 5. Sand the top of your stump until smooth. 6. Apply polyurethane to entire stump. Once dry, it’s ready for action!

Supplies: • tree stump (ours is 18 inches tall and 11 inches in diameter) • chain saw • three castors • screws and drill • sand paper 1. Use your chain saw to cut your stump to your desired height. 2. Remove any bark from your stump. 3. Attach your castors to the bottom of your stump with your drill and screws. 4. Give your top a light sanding and put it outside by your favorite chair!

Stump Patio Table

Salon's 2 Year Anniversary

photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES : Bella

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

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Truss and Son Plumbing supports National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

“You Can Trust Truss”

(936) 639-3960 www.trussandsonplumbing.com

Since 1979

ROY TRUSS M-10366 RORY TRUSS M-21835

2204 N. John Reddit Lufkin, TX 75901

written by Majal Minguez

HOME : {DIY}

Do-It-Yourself

DIY DEODORANT

Did you know that WD40 got its name because it took Rocket Chemical Company 40 attempts to come up with the right formula? That’s how I felt with my DIY deodorant recipe. It took a lot of tweaking . . . adding or taking out ingredients, trying different essential oils, changing the amount of certain ingredients, and getting the approval of my DIY critics, my family. However, it is all worth the time and effort, because this deodorant recipe has become one of my most popular DIY products (based on the feedback of my MAKE AND TAKE participants).

DEODORANT HALL OF SHAME

So why make your own deodorant? Here’s a list of toxic ingredients that made my deodorant “Hall of Shame” list: Aluminum Chloride – Aluminum Chloride blocks your pores from releasing sweat, but may also contribute to an increased cancer risk. According to Dr. Mercola, aluminum is also “recognized as a neurotoxin, and Alzheimer’s patients typically have elevated levels of aluminum in their brain.” Parabens – Whether it’s the methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl or butyl parabens, this very common ingredient found in deodorant and in most personal care products has been linked to breast cancer. This chemical mimics estrogen and as such disturbs hormonal balance. Research studies have shown that in examining where breast tumors were appearing, “higher concentrations of parabens were found in the upper quadrants of the breast and axillary area where deodorants are usually applied.” Yikes!!! Propylene Glycol – This common ingredient is considered a neurotoxin, which may cause damage to your heart, liver, kidney and central nervous system. Triclosan – Triclosan is classified as a PESTICIDE by the FDA and also classified as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. This ingredient is used in most commercial deodorants for its antibacterial properties. Phalates – Phalates are used in most personal care products to help dissolve other ingredients and to create a better consistency. However, phalates have been linked to higher risk of birth defects, hormone receptor disruption and increase in cellular mutation.

So, you’ve been informed. You have a choice. Choose wisely!!!

DEODORANT HALL OF FAME

I chose these ingredients for my DIY Deodorant: Witch Hazel – This astringent is produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub. It is used in most DIY deodorant for its natural skin-healing and skin-care properties. Aloe Vera Gel – Also known as the “plant of immortality” and the “miracle plant”, Aloe Vera contains phytochemicals that are very beneficial and nourishing to the skin. Glycerin – This non-toxic substance in nature has great cleansing, toning and moisturizing properties for the skin. Thai Crystals Mist – This aluminum-free, unscented and 100% natural liquid spray is effective in eliminating body odor and has great anti-bacterial properties. Therapeutic-grade essential oils – These wonderful oils are considered “God’s love manifest in molecules” and possess powerful cleansing and antimicrobial properties. Therapeutic-grade essential oils are always the “star ingredients” in my DIY products!

ESSENTIAL OIL WORKSHOPS: INTRO TO ESSENTIAL OILS September 29, October 6, October 13 and October 20 @ 5:30 pm (Tuesday): Join our dynamic and fast-growing group of oil users. This fun and educational workshop will discuss the basics of essential oils and the many uses of the 10 most commonly used oils. Each participant will Make and Take an 8 oz. household cleaner, 8 oz. foaming hand soap and a 4 oz. air freshener spray. All supplies provided. Reservation required. Call Majal at 936.634.4282 for more information.

MAKE AND TAKE WORKSHOPS:

DEODORANT SPRAY RECIPE 5 Tbsp. Thai Crystal Mist 2 Tbsp. Witch Hazel

September 18, 2015 Make and Take: Emotional Trauma Clearing September 25, 2015 Make and Take: Rub A Dub Dub, What’s In Your Tub?

2 tsp Glycerin 2 tsp Aloe Vera Gel or Liquid

Oct 9, 2015 6pm Make and Take: His and Hers

6 drops Young Living Lavender essential oil 6 drops Young Living Cypress essential oil

Oct 16, 2015 6pm Make and Take: Fall Season Must Haves

4 drops Young Living Tea Tree essential oil 4 oz. Spray bottle or roll on Combine all ingredients in a 4 oz. spray bottle or roll on and mix well.

TIPS: • Adding 3-4 drops of Petitgrain essential oil enhances this recipe’s antiperspirant properties. • For a milder and simplified version of the recipe, you can add the essential oils to the 8oz Thai Crystal Mist. • This spray works as a foot deodorizer as well. Find it expensive to gather up all the ingredients in this recipe? Contact me for a Make and Take appointment. I’ll have all the ingredients and spray bottle ready for you!

Oct 23, 2015 6pm Pamper Make and Take: Ladies Night Out Call Majal at 936.634.4282 for more information.

Majal Minguez and her family live in Luf kin. Her youngest son in on the autism spectrum. In their journey to recover him from autism, the family has learned that detoxifying his body and their house are major pieces of the puzzle to autism recovery. For more information, please follow Majal on Facebook at “WhollyMerry Majal Minguez” or email her at whollymerry@yahoo.com.

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written by Joel Redus

HOME : Homegrown

SAUSAGE ausage making has been practiced for centuries all around the world, probably starting around the time people realized salt is an effective preservative. What started as a strictly utilitarian practice to make use of scrap cuts of meat and offal from livestock and game, has evolved into a true culinary art. There are more than 250 varieties of sausage sold, many which can be traced back to the town or area of origin.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widespread availability of refrigeration, quality equipment, meats, exotic ingredients, and spices makes for endless sausage possibilities for the DIY home sausage maker. Home sausage making can be a fun, creative, and practical family project. Good sausage starts with good ingredients. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t improve the flavor or the quality of meat by making it into sausage. Off flavors or germs in the raw meat will become part of the final product. Make sure your meat is fresh, of good quality, and carefully handled to avoid bacterial growth. Be sure to follow the food safety guidelines, such as keeping meat below 40Â°F, cleaning/sanitizing all equipment, and avoiding crosscontamination. Sausage is simply a mixture of meat, fat, and spices that can be used in patties, in bulk, or stuffed into casings. Sausage can be made from beef, veal, pork, goat, lamb, poultry, deer, elk, fowl, fish, or a combination of these meats. Making sausage at home allows for customizing to your own taste. Folks that are limiting sodium intake can even make fresh sausage without relying on high amounts of salt as a preservative. There is no need for excessive fancy equipment to get started. It only requires a grinder, a good meat thermometer and some general household items to make excellent sausage. If you do not have a grinder, you can purchase ground meat from the store. Many products do not need to be smoked, but liquid smoke can be added to give the smoky flavor desired, or you may add a small portion of a cooked, smoked product like bacon to produce the smoky flavor. You can purchase a household smoker or make one. An old refrigerator converted to a smokehouse works quite well if you need to smoke the product. Smokehouses can be as simple as a tarp covering or as sophisticated as a commercial unit. Cure (sodium nitrite/nitrate on a salt base) is essential to certain types of sausages and gives sausage its characteristic flavor and color. Casing materials may be natural or man-made. Natural casings are the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle, sheep and hogs. These are digestible and are permeable to moisture and smoke. Man-made casings are either fibrous or collagen casings. These casings are uniform in size and come in sizes suited to different types of sausages. Fibrous casings must be removed before eating.

Joel Redus is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and County Extension Agent for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Angelina County. He enjoys experimenting with growing and cooking food and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Michelle. Contact: 936-634-6414 x101 or joel.redus@ag.tamu.edu.

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Venison Garlic Sausage from the North Dakota State University Extension Service: 12 pounds pork trim 60/40 10 pounds venison trim 2 pounds beef trim 1 pint water 1½ tablespoons cure 2/3 cup salt 4 tablespoons black pepper 2 teaspoons dry marjoram 5½ teaspoons mustard seed 2 cloves garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder Coarse-grind meat trimmings. Add salt, water, cure and spices; mix thoroughly. Regrind through ¼-inch diameter plate and stuff into pork casings. Smoke product to desired color and heat to an internal temperature of 141° F. Product must be cooked before serving.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Angelina County is pleased to host “Sausage Making 101” on October 21st from 6:30 to 8:00pm. The seminar, part of the monthly Homegrown to Homemade series, will feature a Texas A&M University meat specialist demonstrating proper techniques for making your own fresh and cured sausage. Cost is $10 at the door and no advance registration is required. For questions about the event, please contact our office at 936-634-6414.

For more detailed information on this topic, check out these research-based sources (available free online): The Art and Practice of Sausage Making from NDSU Extension; Basics of Sausage Making: Formulation, Processing & Safety from the University of Georgia

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Summer Reading Program Party|Kurth Memorial Library

photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES :

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

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in East Texas

Stephanie DAVIS

tephanie Davis is a professional photographer who got her start in her hometown of Lufkin, Texas. Though she is well-known for her beautiful photography, she also has a deep love for Jesus Christ that permeates every part of her personal life and business. Throughout her journey – starting a business, adopting a child, fighting cancer, and so many other hills and valleys – Stephanie has been learning from God and trusting his plan. Recently, we asked her some questions about her life and testimony, and how God influences her business and family. 29 | TJ M a g & C o • t j m a g . c o m

30 INSPIRING WOMAN | 32 HEALTH | 36 CANCER AWARENESS | 38 IN THE NEWS | 40 GIVING BACK

COMMUNITY

Woman

photography by Stephanie Davis

COMMUNITY : Inspiring

How did your passion for photography start?

I have always been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. I bought my first 35mm film camera from a pawnshop in 1990. I would just walk about taking pictures of all different sorts of things! I started working for Lifetouch in 1994. I started out photographing high school seniors, and that was my favorite part of my job. In 2001 I was blessed with the opportunity to go into business and open a senior studio with a partner of mine. My studio was named after my very favorite bible verse, Galatians 2:20, so that is where 220 Studio originated. From then on my love and passion for senior photography grew and my wedding business started. From Lufkin, my husband was transferred to Ft. Worth and then to Bossier City where I am currently, but I will always be a “Lufkin-ite” at heart! I still shoot several Lufkin weddings each year.

How does your relationship with Christ play a part in your business?

I have always focused my business around Christ. I have been very open with my Christianity and never allowed

that to come between my work. I let my clients know up front that I am a follower of Christ. I feel like when I photograph my clients, my prayer for them is to feel beautiful. I strongly pray that they see themselves as beautiful – the way God made them. I try to show that in every shoot.

What really sparked your passion for photography? What is the best thing and the most challenging thing about being a photographer? My passion started out as just a hobby. My hobby was quickly turned into a passion, because I love capturing memories for people. I love making my clients happy about seeing their memory frozen in time. I take great pride in what I do. The best part is getting to know my clients and creating that bond with them. Some of my life long friends started out as my clients. The most challenging part of photography is wanting to do a fabulous job for everyone. They trust their irreplaceable memories with me, and I treasure that. I struggle with wanting their experience and the images to be absolutely perfect! My work/life balance is also another challenge of mine.

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Can you share some of your testimony – some of the major moments in your life where God really changed or taught you? God really taught me the very first time we went through the adoption process. While it did not end up going the way we had planned, we knew God had a greater plan. At this point, it was all I could do to rely on God and know that He knew best. This time in my life God really showed me how to put all of my faith in Him and turn to others for spiritual guidance. The second time I experienced this was the first time I had cancer. I absolutely had to have total and complete faith in God and believe in what I was praying – for total healing.

Can you tell us a little about your background and your beautiful family?

I was born and raised in Lufkin where I lived the first 38 years of my life. I attended Lufkin High School and then Angelina College. My family and I attended First Assembly of God church. I was blessed to marry my best friend, Chris Davis, in December of 1988. We will be celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary this year. My parents are still living in Lufkin, along with several

Stephanie Davis /// Continued

other family members. God trusted Chris and I to raise our beautiful daughter, Kate. Raising her to have a heart for Jesus has been the most rewarding. Kate is bright, energetic, full of life, funny, talented, sweet spirited, and has the biggest heart for others. We have been fortunate enough to raise Kate in a Christ-filled life. To this day, Kate is my biggest accomplishment.

What do you feel that God is currently teaching you, and what are your plans for the future? God is teaching me everyday to completely surrender to him. It is not about me. I do not have one ounce of control. God is teaching me to be bolder in my prayer life, to not only ask for things, but also truly believe they will happen! My plans for the future are to be a mom to my daughter and a wife to my husband. I hope to continue my photography, because it is not just my job, but also my passion!

written by Haley Vines Womack

COMMUNITY : Health

Clean Eating

s the presence of degenerative disease becomes more prevalent in our society we are witnessing a peak in media coverage and clinical research seeking to “cure” our societal cancer. Many of us are swiftly coming to realize, as individuals we may be able to improve our lives by simply improving our nutritional intake.

Here in the United States we are blessed to employ pharmacologists who search the world far and wide for these medicinal “cures”. We can visit a doctor who is specially trained to prescribe and advise on the best course of treatment for our particular ailment. Our doctors can help us to heal, but the time has come now for us to start helping them cure us. By improving our lifestyles we can improve our health, thus creating a healthy ecosystem within our bodies. If our bodies are able to utilize the nutrients from our food, then the treatments prescribed by our doctors will certainly have a greater success rate. In order to induce healing within our bodies, we must include a diet rich in nutrients from the plants and herbs that grow all around us. We start with the basics. Take a good long look at your kitchen. Changing your diet can seem like one of the greatest obstacles of healing. Many people refuse the consideration

all together. In so many instances we have become so disconnected from our bodies that we no longer evaluate our emotions based on our physical well being. We expect to feel more energy by drinking caffeine, lose more weight by avoiding fat, or cure a headache with Tylenol. All of these tactics will work most of the time. Did you know that juicing the core of the pineapple provides potent anti-inflammatory relief which has been promoted to heal muscle injury, improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, benefit asthmatics, and may even enhance the effects of antibiotics? This is just ONE fruit that you can buy at your local grocery store. Imagine the improvements your body will experience by juicing an array of fruits and vegetables. It is important to keep in mind that if you do intend to start a juicing regimen, it would be wise to consult your physician to insure that you are educated on the effects

your body will experience. For instance, juicing too many fruits could cause a spike in blood sugar. It is also important to consider the fact that sugar is highly addictive. If you regularly ingest sugar your body may have a reaction which can include withdrawal symptoms that have been known to last as long as nine days. To really commit to a clean eating regimen you will need two appliances in your home: a triturating juicer- The Norwalk is the absolute best on the market and a VitaMix Blender, which is also the best on the market. The retail market is full of juicing

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options. You will find four different kinds of juicers, centrifugal, masticating, twin gear and triturating. Triturating juicers preserve the most nutrients followed by twin gear juicers. It is important to keep in mind that if you are trying to heal a degenerative disease, you definitely want to avoid centrifugal as this juicing process destroys the most nutrients. If you can’t afford a Norwalk, then you might look into the Green Star twin gear juicer as an alternative option. Clean Eating is a lifestyle that will take a bit of preparation and planning, but the rewards will be well worth your time spent.

COMMUNITY : Cancer

Awareness

6 ways your local American Cancer Society is helping our community in the fight against cancer

1 Reach to Recovery A program to match newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with breast cancer survivors for support and guidance.

2 Wig Fittings The local office offers free wigs and turbans to cancer patients. ACS realizes the changes in appearance that occur during cancer treatment, and they are here to help.

3 Road to Recovery This program is still trying to recruit more volunteers. In this program, volunteers provide rides to cancer patients for treatments and appointments. The volunteer can specify whether they would like to drive locally or out of town.

4 Look good, Feel better

5 Research

6 A Phone Call Away

The 3rd Monday of each month, there is a workshop given at the local office by beauty professionals to help patients feel comfortable with their appearance during treatment. Attendees receive a free makeup kit. An RSVP is requested so makeup can be color-matched to each attendee.

Through the Cancer Prevention Studies, researchers are able to better understand causes of cancer, so they can ultimately help prevent it. Currently, they are on their 3rd Cancer Prevention Study. This study includes East Texans who volunteered to be participants. These participants from Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Livingston, Tyler, and Nederland will help for an average of 10-15 years. During the very first Cancer Prevention Study, researchers discovered the link between smoking and lung cancer.

Information, day to day help, and emotional support are just a phone call away - 24/7. Whether you are a care giver, patient, or a loved one, there will be someone to assist you, day or night. Simply call 1.800.227.2345.

American Cancer Society | 212 Gene Samford Drive | Lufkin, Texas 75904 936.634.2940 | Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00 | Closed for lunch 12:00-1:00

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with Law Enforcement photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES : Stand

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

37 | TJ M a g & C o â&#x20AC;˘ t j m a g . c o m

COMMUNITY : In

the News

Q&A WITH THE

Cattle Baron's Chairs Why are you involved with Cattle Baron’s?

JENNIFER

Amy: I recently read that every twenty seconds, someone finds out they have cancer. That is an incredible number of people! I volunteer because I want to help in any way I can to decrease or even eradicate cancer incidences across the board. Jennifer: I got involved because I wanted to do my small part in the battle against cancer. The commitment is big, but it is nothing compared to the struggle that cancer victims face.

AMY

What does the gala mean to you? Jennifer: This gala means money. Money for research and money for assistance for those in need in our area. It means getting the community all in one place to fight this fight together. It also means having a party with a purpose. You can have a wonderful time while raising funds for this worthy cause. What is the most important thing the community should know about the cause of Cattle Baron’s?

Dr. Amy & Jeremy Ross with Jennifer & Daniel Webster

Amy: Lufkin’s American Cancer Society serves all of the Pineywoods. Angelina County simply serves as a hub for all the cancer patients in our area. Including Angelina, eight other surrounding counties receive the benefits that the ACS provides. The value of having this in our area is immeasurable! What do attendees have to look forward to this year? Amy: Several new games have been added this year, such as the

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hi-striker, rodeo roper and hole-inone “glow” golf. Also, the ever-popular mechanical bull will be back again! This year we are raffling two great items, the Ladies Rolex and a Big Boy Colt .45. Tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100, and you need not be present to win. We have well over 150 items in the silent auction, live auction and bid board. Everyone is sure to be entertained well with Bryan Harkness in the Baron’s Reception, Kendall Beard as the opening act, and the Bellamy Brothers as the headline entertainer! Don’t miss the “Party with a Purpose!”

What has been the best part of chairing the event? Amy: Being on the committee the past six years, I’ve gotten to see first-hand how it has grown. Seeing the community come together to support cancer research and provide patient services to people of our community is so gratifying. How does someone get involved or volunteer? Jennifer: We welcome anyone interested in helping. Please call the ACS office and let them know. Volunteers can be used throughout the year and the night of the event. Most important question of all, what are you wearing??? Amy: Of course....BOOTS, spiced up with a little western flair!! Jennifer: Cowboy boots and something with bling!

⸀⸀⸀䄀渀礀琀栀椀渀最䤀猀倀漀猀猀椀戀氀攀℀

䰀唀䘀䬀䤀一䘀䔀䐀䔀刀䄀䰀䌀刀䔀䐀䤀吀唀一䤀伀一㈀㐀䜀漀戀戀氀攀爀猀䬀渀漀戀刀漀愀搀䰀甀昀欀椀渀Ⰰ 吀堀

㤀㌀㘀ⴀ㘀㌀㈀ⴀ㐀㌀㤀㜀

COMMUNITY : Giving

Back

JAKEDAVID In 2012, Jake David, a large animal veterinarian from Chester, Texas, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that affected his spleen.

n January and February of 2013, he started his first line of defense against his diagnosis – chemotherapy.

As so many have experienced themselves or witnessed in the journeys of their loved ones, chemotherapy can take a huge toll on the body. Luckily, the kind of chemo Jake received did not result in hair loss, but during his treatments, he met so many people who did lose their hair in their fight against sickness. Jake quickly saw that chemotherapy was not only difficult on the body physically, but also emotionally. He watched first hand as chemo negatively affected the selfesteem and confidence of so many patients – especially women and small children. Since this moment in his journey, Jake David has recovered from his autoimmune disorder. However, the people he met along his journey, who were fighting

alongside him, continue to stand out in his mind. For that reason, Jake decided to donate his hair to chemotherapy patients. Needless to say, he received a few jokes while growing out his hair, but was determined to make a difference however he could. “My situation was unique because I live in a rural ranching community in East Texas and, needless to say, long hair on men isn’t the norm. Plus, I have really thick, curly blonde hair that got pretty crazy as it got longer. I’m a large animal veterinarian and work in the cattle industry, so you could say I stuck out like a sore thumb. I got plenty of ribbing and jokes. I’m sure I reminded many people of themselves during their hippie days! But I feel like if you have something to offer, you have to step outside your comfort zone.” After doing some research, Jake was very impressed with the mission of Pantene’s

Beautiful Lengths and decided to give his donation to their cause. “I chose them because I was impressed that they were non-profit and gave only to cancer patients. If you do decide to donate hair, I encourage you to do your homework. Some organizations I researched profit from donations and make wigs available for anyone - not just people dealing with an illness. I wanted my donation to go to people like those I saw taking chemotherapy with me.” After donating his hair, Jake felt excited and proud to have done something for people struggling with illness. He also felt relieved to finally cut off his long locks! “I felt cool. And by ‘cool,’ I mean, I never realized how hot long hair was! Then I felt sorry for women with long hair! I would do it again, but I would time it so that I could take advantage of the cooler winter!”

in East Texas 42 SOMETHING ABUNDANT | 48 FASHION | 54 STRETCH MARKS | 56 THE DEER LEASE

LIFE

The God of All Comfort

“Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.” Psalm 115:50 NLT I remember it as if I watched the terrible scene play out on a life-sized movie screen. “They found something... I will call you soon.”

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written by Angie Nichols

LIFE : Something

Abundant

Amidst the preparations for the largest Something Abundant Ministries’ event we ever hosted, my cell phone buzzed with the text of my dearest friend and ministry partner. Amy was driving in from Houston following what was to be one of her son Titus’ very last scans before declaring him a long-term cancer survivor. Their family moved to Arkansas just two months before, and I felt elated to have her back for the first time. This event marked a bright spot on my calendar, and we looked forward to a few days to serve together, as well as, soak up as much of each other’s friendship as possible. I expected to get an “all clear” text followed by an “I’ll be there soon!!! Squeeeeel!! Can’t wait!! (10 smiley face emojis, 12 hand clap emojis).” Instead her text read eight words and delivered a sucker punch leaving me and the other members of our ministry team reeling. As a mother who knew the sheer panic and paralyzing pain of hearing my child had cancer, I also wrestled with the nagging fears of “what if it comes back?” scenarios. It is a primary fear for anyone who knows too much about the dark world of cancer protocols and desires to believe they will never have to enter that world again once they’ve passed through it. So when Amy texted, fresh from an encounter with an oncologist who delivered the message of her worst nightmare, the darkness I held back on a daily basis over my own daughter’s diagnosis, assailed my every defense. Then a wave of pain for my friend struck my heart like a physical sickness. Followed immediately by the desire to lead my ministry team in a decisive retreat. I loaded a command on my tongue, “Let’s pack up and head home. Start making phone calls and let our attendees know we are cancelling due

to a personal emergency.” But before I pulled the trigger, we held hands in a small circle, all of us on our knees between the tables we were covering and decorating not five minutes before this bomb went off. Joel, our ministry counterpart and worship leader, called out to God and divine orders from heaven for our next steps became crystal clear in my heart. Only because I’ve smelled the fragrance of Christ after the rain, was I able to catch the stench of the enemy’s evil on the winds of a perfect storm. Amy described the terrible day in her own words: “The sterile way our oncologist delivered the news, ‘There is something on the MRI of his brain. It requires a biopsy on Monday,’ caused my body to go numb. Somehow, in that state of numbness, I drove Titus two hours north to drop him off with friends, then called Angie to tell her I needed a cabin apart from everyone else at the event venue. Holding myself together in front of my son, I walled off a dam I knew was about to burst with cries I wanted no one else to witness. I met up with our ministry team, shared the details of what I knew and they showed me to my own private cabin they lovingly set up with food, water, Scripture and everything I needed to spend the rest of the weekend in isolation. They prayed for me and left me. Alone, I asked God hard questions and confessed sins I wouldn’t want anyone else to hear. I sobbed until I couldn’t anymore, and finally fell into an exhausted sleep.” During troubled times, positive comments or trite clichés do not make a bit of difference to a suffering soul, even when delivered with compassionate intentions. For individuals dealing with trauma, loss, or devastation, there is only One source of meaningful or useful comfort. Scripture calls Him the God of all comfort. Meaning there is no true comfort apart from meeting with Him in the solitude of suffering.

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We could only provide for Amy’s physical shelter, hunger and thirst while praying fervently for God to provide for her soul’s shelter, hunger, and thirst. Leaving Amy alone that dark night assailed all my instincts as a friend and fellow cancer mom. But the Holy Spirit reminded me of our own encounters in secret places when circumstances overwhelmed. He is the only One who gives strength, personal promise, and affective peace. When the sun rose the next day, Amy asked me to come join her. I released her from any and all responsibilities of the weekend and told her if she wanted to stay in the cabin all week, I would personally guard the door. However, I also encouraged her to step onto the stage God obviously illuminated for a miracle of His glory in her. No, the doctors didn’t call with news of an MRI mix-up. In fact, the following days would bring more bad news and cancer treatment. As destructive as cancer is to a human body, to families, to friends, it never gets the last word. Jesus Christ defeated sin and the death it brings two thousand years ago on a cross. Because Titus placed his trust in Jesus as his Savior, his eternity is secure--tumor or not. No, the miracle we witnessed on this holy day of at-one-ment was a bride of Christ, a woman, a mother who allowed the comfort of Christ to give her peace beyond understanding. Many of the women seated around the tables in the conference room that day knew and walked with Amy’s family during Titus’ first cancer battle. The news already traveled fast and far. Concern and compassion for Amy was in every eye and a reverent hush stilled the entire group. I remember watching my dearest friend and ministry partner stand from her seat, Bible in her hands, and walk with head high. She took the

The God of All Comfort /// Continued stage Jesus obviously set for her, not as an actress playing a role or faking a smile. With so much in the heavenly realm at stake, she began to speak. In heavy words, she professed that if the message of the Bible was true before Titus’ scans, “It is true now.” She read from Romans chapter 8 as a public declaration of her own heart, “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity...or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow...nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Faith in the midst of suffering is a faith that forces others to encounter a real and present God. When a suffering soul says through sorrow’s tears, “It is well with my soul...” heaven and earth rejoice as the God of all comfort proves powerful in our presence. Today Titus is healthy, living the life of an active fifth grader and Amy possesses a gift few others can claim. She truly understands each day is a gift. She is also highly gifted in counseling other hurting women, willing to join them in the messiness of their own wars, carrying a credibility from God’s Word and her own suffering like a battle axe to break them free.

TO HELP A SUFFERING FRIEND • Set your feet and do not back away from her pain. • Close your mouth. If she talks, listen. If she doesn’t talk, just be there. • Provide for her physically--food, clothing, shelter, walk her dog, whatever she needs. • Implore her to seek the God of all comfort. You don’t have words for her, but He does. • Pray for her.

If you are facing a fresh hell, a diagnosis, loss, or betrayal, run to a solitary place and seek the God of all comfort. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He has a reward. Those who face the bloodiest battles are those who carry the credentials of heavenly compassion,

equipped with Christ’s overflowing comfort to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort they have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4). Allow the God of all comfort to tend to your soul. He will not let your pain be wasted.

“MOTHER COMFORT” BAGS Partner with Something Abundant Ministries to deliver “Mother Comfort” bags to mothers of children recently diagnosed with a critical illness. Each bag contains a notebook filled with organizational items to help give a sense of control in an out-of-control time, a journal, devotional book, calendar, and a copy of the book, Something Abundant, as well as other items useful for long hospital stays and prolong medical treatment. You can provide a gift bag and share the comfort of a loving Father with a hurting mother. Donate at www.somethingabundantministries.org

Angie Nichols is the founder of Something Abundant Ministries, serving women through worship, ministry, and Biblical teaching and the author of Something Abundant: growing from a child of God to the bride of Christ. Her passion is for women to know the beauty of an abundant life knowing Christ as Bridegroom. She is married to Chris and they have one daughter, Mycah. For more information, to read Angie’s blog, or book speaking events visit: somethingabundantministries.org

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Ferguson Grand Opening

photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES :

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

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written by Jessica Tinsley Bridges

LIFE : Fashion

Jessica was born and raised in Lufkin. She is in love with fashion, shopping & beauty products. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a Fashion Merchandising degree. She now lives in Cypress (a suburb of Houston) with her loving husband, their son, Landry and two fur babies. Jessica has worked for many retailers in the past but is now a full time mom to Landry and owns an online boutique, Jess Lea Boutique. www.JessLeaBoutique.com photo by The Silhouette Studio

Stylish Fall Outfits FROM PINTEREST

hile flipping through fashion magazines and browsing through stores is one way to get outfit inspiration, there’s truly nothing like Pinterest. Even though it’s still blazing hot in Texas, I can’t help but dream about the cooler fall weather that will arrive eventually. Pinterest is a great resource to find inspiration for just about anything. I’ve searched all through Pinterest to find outfits that incorporate the five hottest fall trends of 2015. You’ll want to immediately copy these amazing outfits for this fall.

Fall 2015 Fashion Trend: Shearling For those really cool days, nothing keeps you warmer than a shearling vest or coat. The trend, which we saw in fall 2014, is making its second appearance in several different styles: oversize coats, cropped jackets, vests and more.

Fall 2015 Fashion Trend: Chunky Sweaters There’s nothing that makes fall feel more like fall than pulling on a really great, cozy, chunky sweater. Here, the six styles that will get you through the season. You will find them in almost any style or color. Balance out the extra bulk by wearing a slimmer silhouette on bottom.

Fall 2015 Fashion Trend: Faux Fur This fall, faux fur is still hot and back in a big way! I’m personally happy because I have several fur pieces in my wardrobe. If you have any faux fur, a scarf, jacket, coat or vest, go ahead and keep them in the front of your closet this fall.

Fall 2015 Fashion Trend: Fringe Though fringe might seem like a trickier trend to pull off, it works really well on coats, jackets and skirts. If you want to incorporate fringe in a more subtle way, it works great on accessories like handbags and shoes. Needless to say, you can wear it just about anywhere.

Fall 2015 Fashion Trend: The Color Cream I just love the classic look of the cream color, and I’m so glad it’s a fall trend this year. This trend is easy to assemble at any price and very versatile. Don’t be afraid to wear head-to-toe cream. Pair your favorite sweater with skinny jeans and tan booties, and you will be set.

Family Crisis Center Thrift Store Grand Opening

photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES :

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

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- AN EAST TEXAS TRADITION SINCE 1959 -

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Know Your Options.

astectomy remains a frequent option chosen in the treatment of breast cancer. Increasingly bilateral mastectomies are considered in a desire to reduce the potential for cancer forming in the other breast. In either situation reconstruction of the breast can help in the emotional recovery from the diagnosis of breast cancer. Reconstruction can sometimes be needed following lumpectomy and radiation therapy, another common treatment for breast cancer. Reconstruction can be performed even years after a mastectomy has occurred or it can be done at the same time as the mastectomy. This is called immediate reconstruction and requires coordination between the general surgeon treating the cancer and the plastic surgeon performing the reconstruction. A number of options exist for the reconstruction. The most commonly performed reconstruction involves the use of a breast implant. Depending on the type of mastectomy being performed and the desires of the patient, a breast implant may be placed at the time of the mastectomy. Sometimes a tissue expander may be used instead. This is basically a deflated implant that is placed and after initial healing and is filled weekly in the office until the desired size is achieved. This is ultimately replaced with a breast implant at a second surgery. This allows stretching of the skin when a mastectomy had been done in the past or to use

a larger breast implant than the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original size. Several options for implants exist including round saline or silicone gel or shaped silicone gel implants. Other alternatives involve using your own tissue to rebuild the breast. This allows the potential of a more natural shape than with just an implant alone. A latissimus dorsi flap uses skin and muscle from your back that is brought forward to add to the breast area. This is most often done for an existing mastectomy or if someone had radiation therapy as part of the breast cancer treatment. Usually an implant or tissue expander and implant is part of this option to provide enough fullness. Another approach is to use skin and fat from the lower abdomen that would otherwise be discarded in a tummy tuck and place it in the chest area. This can provide the most natural feeling and potentially looking reconstruction. A side benefit is an improvement of how your abdomen looks. A traditional TRAM flap uses the rectus abdominus muscle (six pack muscle) to provide the circulation to keep the lower abdominal skin and fat alive as it is left attached to it. The muscle is freed from its surrounding structures and passed through a tunnel to the breast area where the skin and fat is shaped into a breast. This can be used to reconstruct one or both breasts at the same time. A variation of this is called a Free TRAM. Here much less muscle tissue is used and blood

vessels that originate in the groin area and go through the muscle are detached. These then need to be hooked up to blood vessels in the chest area via microsurgery to reestablish the circulation to the tissue. This has the potential to improve the circulation to the tissue over the traditional TRAM flap and reduce potential problems to the abdomen because much less muscle is removed. A further variation on this uses the blood vessels alone and no muscle tissue and is called a DIEP flap. Microsurgery is usually performed by a team of surgeons and requires special monitoring afterwards. For this reason it is usually performed in larger hospitals in bigger cities. Microsurgery has allowed other options for tissue transfer such as the buttocks or outside of the thigh to be used to rebuild a breast, though these are much less common. Options also exist in rebuilding the appearance of the nipple and areola. These range from tattooing, which can appear quite realistic depending on the skill of the tattoo person, or the use of special cuts in the skin that allow folding the skin to create the projecting part of the nipple and a skin graft to create the areola. If faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer, take the time to fully investigate your options, both to the treatment of the cancer itself and the potential for reconstruction to restore you.

written by Melissa Radke

LIFE : Stretch

Marks

25 THINGS

My favorite thing in US Magazine is the 25 Things section. Weird, random things about weird, random people. In honor of that, here's mine:

My middle name is Paige, and if you ever use it I automatically assume you must be angry at me.

I fall asleep to The Golden Girls every single night.

I'm a natural blonde. But it's a boring, ugly, dishwater blonde so I make no apologies for the way I spend my money. #wendyrojo #elegantimages

Both of my children are adopted and I LOVE telling the story of how they came to be. Just ask me!

I have bad taste in shoes + bad feet = I don't even bother.

You know those women that say they're not in to plastic surgery or any "age improvements"? I'm not those women.

As I type this I'm laying across the bed at a hotel in Dallas because we're going to see Garth stinkin' Brooks!

My husband still opens my car door for me and is a first class gentleman.

If you think it's ridiculous I'm spending an entire article writing about myself, get yourself your own article.

The three people in my life who can make me laugh the hardest are all men: my dad, my husband, (and strangely enough) my Pastor.

I never say no to my kids kisses or Reese's peanut butter cups.

I am very loyal. Very. Don't talk about my people.

Reese's Pieces are for suckers!

I'm a daddy's girl.

The only grudge I ever held against my mother was that she didn't let me audition to be a Disney kid when I was nine.

If I had $10,000 the first thing I'd buy would be a pontoon boat.

Is an introverted-extrovert a thing? If so, I'm that.

The people I work with are some of the best people I've ever known. Seriously. #LufkinFirstAssembly

I love Facebook.

I don't like gory movies, I like scary movies. There's a difference.

I once ran all the way to my Granny's house because I was home alone and heard someone clipping their toenails in my closet!

Adult friendships are still hard to me. I even read a book on how to have them! When people say "I want to be your friend" my first thought is "WHY?"

I am horrible at small talk so parties/receptions/ bar mitzvah's freak me out.

I wish I could meet Dr. Phil.

I'd rather speak to 10,000 than talk to just one.

Melissa

Melissa Radke is married to the best looking man in town, whom she affectionately refers to as The Attorney General. They have two children, Remi and Rocco; you have probably seen their picture in the Most Wanted list at your local schools. She loves movie popcorn, telling her friends what to do with their hair and being the center of attention. You can find her anytime at melissa@lufkin.org or Chik-fil-A. You are encouraged to ask for her autograph. In fact, she insists.

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LIFE : The

Deer Lease

BECOMING A PINEYWOODS WOMAN

round here, camo is a staple. If you don’t hunt and fish you are the minority, and let’s just say that I was the president of the minority club. I rode my first miniature pony at the age of 7 and caught my first fish that same year. I never even picked up a fishing pole or rode a horse again. I grew up in a home where guns didn’t exist. Instead we perfected our praying skills and hoped that was enough to keep the burglars away. We used BB guns to keep the squirrels away from dad’s bird feeder and had to borrow camo for dress up days at school. We were unusual compared to the rest of East Texas. We didn’t own four wheelers or live on lots of land. According to our friends, we were just a city family stuck in the woods. After graduating from Texas A&M I moved back home to East Texas. I met a country boy who forever changed my life. I was just a year younger than Page Cook, but we had never even had one conversation in the 12 years we went to school together. Partly because he lived in the Ag Shop, which he fully denies, and I spent my days on the basketball court. We never crossed paths until years later, and now I get to call him my husband. In the last ten months I have killed a deer, worn camo on numerous occasions, been to the gun range, and ventured to the “dark side” of becoming a “Pineywoods Woman”. Disclaimer: I am not exactly a redneck yet, but I want to offer my assistance for those of you trying to take on this “redneck wife gig”.

1. Do not wear your hair in a braid while gar fishing. Or is it gar hunting? Still haven’t learned the correct terminology. The first time (and only time) we went gar hunting/fishing, I wore my hair in braids. Boat lights in the dark equals tons and tons of bugs. Boat lights in the dark with a braid equals bugs stuck in your braid. I am a fairly intelligent person. I should have put two and two together. I am the girl who would rather get kidnapped in the dark than turn on the porch light at night. I HATE bugs. Even more than kidnappers. I tried to be brave at first, casually swatting the june bugs as they came flying towards me. The music was blaring and I was trying to concentrate on enjoying time with my hunk of a gar fisher. I couldn’t help but feel like we were swamp people starring in the next Anacondas movie. Slowly riding through the trees and brush on the edge of the water…looking for gar. (I HAD NO IDEA WHAT ONE EVEN LOOKED LIKE AT THIS POINT.)

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The air was thick and humid. The bugs were getting worse. As I picked them from my braid, chills ran down my spine. I eventually gave up the “calm, cool, and collected” face and began swatting them left and right. Ducking from the bugs and praying that a massive anaconda wasn’t lurking in the water below. I was miserable, actually dying inside. If you must go gar fishing, wear a cap. At least you won’t have to pick the bugs from your hair.

2. You do not have to paint up to kill a deer. On my second date with Page, he took me hunting. I had no clue what to wear. I didn’t own camo and was too embarrassed to borrow it. I wore purple tennis shoes, black leggings, a purple shirt with a black vest, and a camo hat. My outfit said, “Hey, I am cute, comfy, and could care less about the deer. I just want to sit close to you in a deer stand.” Let’s just say, I am the only one who killed a deer that day. His dad could not believe that between my bright colors, slurping on my sonic drink, and giggling with Page, that I did not scare off every deer in the lease. Just be you. Wear your cute clothes and remember: Aim small, miss small. I want to leave you with one last piece of advice. Shopping for camo pants for women with a little junk in their trunk can be a little discouraging. This old fellow with a few missing teeth came to offer me some advice while buying pants. “Lady, I tell you these pants are made for Koreans. No way in (heaven) can any man or woman with junk in their trunk fit in these things.” I honestly felt worse after he walked away, and I have no idea what he meant with his Korean comment, but it all made me laugh. I don’t always fit in this world, but I always laugh. Embrace this country life, ladies. If Korie Robertson can rock camo, so can you!

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years in business

A Lifetime of Experiences

And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just getting started. Lufkin - Downtown 415 S. 1st Street 936-639-2141 Lufkin - West 805 S. John Redditt Dr. 936-632-6621

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Skippy Dimpledot

Can you believe it? The holidays are just around the corner. Soon everyone will be frantically running all over town in search of the perfect gifts for their loved ones. This year, The Very Thing on S. John Redditt Drive in Lufkin will be selling a unique and festive must-have gift for the season – The Skippy Dimpledot elves!

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60 NORTH POLE NEWS | 62 LOOK AT ME | 64 SUPER KID | 68 PRETTY BABIES

GROWING UP

GROWING UP : North

Pole News Skippy Dimpledot /// Continued

kippy Dimpledot, a cute little Christmas elf, grew out of the imagination of authors Margie and Claire Brody. This mother-daughter duo from Lufkin, Texas created Skippy because of young Claire’s second grade teacher. Claire’s teacher kept an elf in her classroom to watch over the students every December. She told her parents that she wanted an elf of her own, and a family tradition began.

“A few days later, an elf appeared at Claire’s house. Claire began exchanging letters with him and he would reply to her inquisitive questions. His name was Skippy Dimpledot.” When Claire was in fifth grade, she and Margie decided to write a children’s Christmas book about her elf. Two years later their book was written, published and shared with children throughout Texas. For several years Margie and Claire would visit schools and share their writing experience, encouraging reading and creative writing with elementary school children. Margie and Claire went on to write two other children’s books about Skippy: Skippy Dimpledot Christmas in Europe, as well as translated their original book to Spanish, Skippy Dimpledot, El Elfo de Navidad. In addition to the books, the Skippy Dimpledot collection has a series of adorable dolls that can be included in every family’s holiday traditions. Children can “exchange notes” with the elves and really experience the magic of Christmas! Skippy Dimpledot was Margie and Claire’s first elf, followed by Julie Jellybean, Henry Dimpledot, Daisy Dimpledot, Marco Macaroni and Jazzy Gelato. This year they are very excited to introduce their Hispanic elf, Santiago Snowball! Of course all the elves are special and enjoyed by children

of all ages. The elves become magical after Thanksgiving and love to visit children until Christmas Eve when they catch a ride back to the North Pole with Santa Claus. They keep busy moving around the house and exchanging special notes with children. They love lots of hugs, spending time with their new friends and even going to school with them when it is permitted by the teachers. The elves are meant to bring magic and wonder to the holidays and are a fabulous holiday tradition. After all, elves visit children all over the world! The Very Thing is so excited to be able to keep this fun tradition going by offering the Skippy Dimpledot products in their store this year. “We really wanted to continue the Skippy Dimpledot tradition in East Texas and are very thrilled to partner with Margie and Claire Brody on this exciting venture! The Very Thing has exclusive rights to purchase and sell the Skippy Dimpledot books and elves and are so excited to introduce the collection’s newest elf, Santiago Snowball, to the children in our community.” The Skippy Dimpledot Elves will be available in the store at the beginning of October. The Very Thing will also be hosting a Holiday Preview on October 15th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. In addition to the elves, they will be featuring their beautiful Kendra Scott Jewelry, Kurt Adler Nutcrackers, Waterford ornaments and angels, and so much more! Make sure you add The Very Thing to your shopping list this holiday season!

Special Thanks to Jaclyn Hults and Shannon Horta for their contribution to this article.

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Skippy Dimpledot, the Christmas Elf, is a magical story about a young girl named Annie and her magic elf. One day Skippy arrives at her house and Annie soon discovers that her elf is full of surprises. They begin to write letters to each other and form a special friendship. This charming book adds wonder and excitement to the season of Christmas. Will Skippy come visit you at your home? Will you write letters to Skippy? Will Skippy write you back? Begin the season of Christmas with this enchanting book!

Skippy Dimpledot, Christmas in Europe, is a wonderful story about a young girl named Annie who has an extraordinary Christmas vacation in Europe. Much to her amazement, Skippy Dimpledot returns for the holidays and adds surprise and excitement to Annie’s European trip. He reminds her that elves visit children all over the world. This book is sure to add funfilled adventure to your holiday season! Will Skippy join Annie in Europe? Will other elves appear on sightseeing trips? Begin a new tradition with your family by exchanging letters with Skippy and the gang this holiday season!

936-639-5259 An Independent Trane Dealer

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GROWING UP : Look

at Me

8th grade. Lindsey Oates, Shalyn Jones, Maci Rice, Brooke Bailey & Madison Warren.

Amanda Salas - 3rd grade. Griffin Salas - 5th grade. Bonner-Hudson.

Maci Rice, 8th grade. Garrett Rice, 6th grade. Central Junior High.

Jace Camp, 3rd grade. Chloe Camp, 5th grade.

Hardy Brown, Kindergarten. Jake Slate, 3rd grade. Jordyn Jones, Kindergarten. Avery Brown, Pre-K. Centerville.

Kylie Ridings – PCA, 5th grade. Wyatt Ridings – PCA, 1st grade.

Chip & Blake Buchanan.

Kamdyn Brown, Avery Brown, & Laura Rogers - Centerville, Pre-K.

Hunter Willis Crimson Christian Academy, Senior.

Smoothie King • 4505 S Medford Dr. • (936) 632-5464 • Like us on

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Corbyn Brent - Dunbar Primary, 1st grade. Blayre Brent – LMS, 7th grade.

Ainsley Stuck, 4th grade.

Brooke Sutherland Peavy Primary, 2nd grade.

Jared - Hudson, 12th grade.

Jaxson - Hudson, 6th grade.

Jade – Hudson, 7th grade.

Javier Samarripa Jr. Corrigan-Camden Primary, 1st grade.

Benjamin Michael Boatman - First Christian Preschool, Pre-K.

Kadie Beth Wisener Crimson Christian Academy, Junior.

Emma Bohall Crimson Christian Academy, 2nd grade.

Matty Willie Crimson Christian Academy, 3rd grade.

Weston Burns Crimson Christian Academy, 1st grade.

Kenzee, 2nd grade.

Kylee, 4th grade.

Trinity Lynn Vines, 3K.

First Day of School, 2015 • We hope you have a great school year!

63 | TJ M a g & C o • t j m a g . c o m

GROWING UP : Super

Kid

WESTON REYNOLDS

eston Reynolds is a 14 year old freshman at Huntington High School. Six years ago, when Weston was in 4th grade, his parents encouraged him to get involved in 4-H – an organization that encourages youth development and mentoring. After hearing that 4-H would give him the opportunity to meet new friends while showing animals at the county fair, Weston decided to give it a shot.

Gohmert even gave Weston some advice to help him toward his dream of becoming a politician. “He explained some of the things that I would need to do leading up to my career in politics. For example, he told me that my election starts today. He said I should be a servant of my community and become involved in all types of clubs, extracurricular activities, and especially church. He told me that being a Christian was a greatly important role in what I am seeking to become. He informed me God should be reintroduced into our country, but the only way that would be possible is if we were to have God-fearing people in office. We also discussed our country’s history, and how amazing our founding fathers were.” Being in 4-H is already helping Weston achieve his dreams. He has been able to practice leadership while serving as an officer at leadership camps, and has served in many different positions as a member of 4-H.

Since then, Weston’s involvement in 4-H has led to some amazing opportunities. Recently, Weston had the opportunity to meet with Texas Representative, Louie Gohmert. They discussed everything from 4-H to universities to politics. Louie

“Throughout my years in 4-H, I have attended a total of 5 leadership camps, and every time I learn something new about being both a good leader and follower. As for being an officer, I have served as Reporter, Council Delegate, 2nd Vice President, and I am currently serving as the President of Huntington All Around 4-H Club. I am also currently

holding the position of Historian of the Angelina County 4-H Council. Experiencing these camps and holding these offices have contributed to my success as a public speaker.” While public speaking and holding positions of leadership are big parts of Weston’s career in 4-H, his favorite experience with 4-H is participating in the County Fair. He has a passion for showing his animals and for the hometown atmosphere of the fair. “It’s not just exciting to show your project alongside your friends, but just being at the fair is exhilarating. I love presenting my animals every year, but what makes it count is the people around me. Whether it’s my family, friends, or even the animals, just something about it makes me warm on the inside.” Though Weston has been able to experience some truly incredible things for such a young person, he still enjoys being involved in his high school. He plays basketball on the freshman team at Huntington and loves to shoot guns and hang out with his friends. He also works very hard academically, and has been his class’s valedictorian for the past two years. In the future, Weston wants to attend college to study political science. Afterwards, he intends to enroll in law school. Ultimately, Weston desires to hold a seat in the United States Congress.

Crimson Christian Academy recognizes and appreciates the 2015 sponsors of Crimson & Camo.

THE MIRANDA FAMILY POINTER WINGSHOOTING

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GROWING UP : Pretty

Babies

3 4

1. River Lynn Arnold. 2/24/15. Proud Parents: Michael & Lindsey Arnold. Proud Grandparents: Mike & Wanda Fletcher / Eddie & Ronda Arnold. 2. Parker Shane Brookshire. 7/1/15. Proud Parents: Ryan & Mackenzie Brookshire. Proud Grandparents: Shane & Tricia Herring / Tim & Jerrie Brookshire. 3. Luke Wyatt Evans. 6/29/15. Proud Parents: Scott & Jenna Evans. 4. Leighton Kyle Harrell. 10/28/14. Proud Parents: Kyle & Jennifer Harrell. Proud Grandparents: Jeff & Val Harrell / Jerry & Debra Jones.

7 8

5. Mesa Marie McMullen. 8/20/15. Proud Parents: Kristin & Chris McMullen. Proud Grandparents: Thomas & Wanda McMullen / Mike & Natalie Butler. 6. Makayla Grace Messer. 1/26/15. Proud Parents: Ashley & Michael Messer. Proud Grandparents: Barbara & Randall Owens / Linda Hannah / Mitchell Messer. 7. Waymon Carl Newsome, IV and Katie Ann Newsome. 8/19/15. Proud Parents: Trey & Jennifer Newsome (Mt. Vernon, TX). 8. Zachary Brian Rector. 8/11/15. Proud Parents: Missy & Jeff Rector.

E-mail Pretty Babies submissions to prettybabies@tjmag.com. Please include name, date of birth, parents & grandparents. Submissions are free of charge.

Joy.

Prepared for your little bundle with advanced care. The region’s only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is here to help your newborn get a healthy start. Should you need high-risk pregnancy care, we’re also home to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic. Schedule a tour of our birthing center today. Call 936-634-8311. Trained, caring staff Spacious private labor and delivery suites Skilled OB/GYN physicians Free childbirth and infant feeding classes 24/7 neonatology coverage

505 South John Redditt Drive, Lufkin • WoodlandHeights.net Woodland Heights Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

in East Texas 70 LEADERSHIP | 74 IN THE KNOW | 76 CHAMBER NEWS | 78 THE FREEZER SECTION

BUSINESS

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR Engine blocks reflect orange light in a staging area at Mast Motorsports and Mast Powertrain in Nacogdoches. | photo by Bruce R. Partain

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written by Bruce Partain

BUSINESS : Leadership

Auntie Pasta's with owners Richard and Barbara DeWitt and other managers diving into the rebuild. “It ended up being a Godsend,” Niuman said. “The buildings and the business have improved since.” Because of the resilience of their operations and success through years, the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce has named Clear Springs and Auntie Pasta’s as its 2015 Large Business of the Year. Richard and Barbara DeWitt each have had an important role in the success of the Clear Springs locations in New Braunfels, Nacogdoches, Midland and Tyler, plus the Gruene River Grill in New Braunfels.

Richard & Barbara DeWitt have successfully built a collection of family restaurants — but the operations are anything but a chain. | photo by Bruce R. Partain

n September 14, 2008, Jeremy Niuman approached the debrisfilled parking lot of Clear Springs and Auntie Pasta’s in Nacogdoches with high anxiety. As general manager of both restaurants, he already knew there was damage from the high winds and downpours of Hurricane Ike. The massive storm had power-washed its way north the day before, after smashing into Galveston, and was on track to wreak further havoc from St. Louis to Montreal. Ultimately, the unexpected partial demolition kicked off needed repairs and new remodeling that benefited the local eateries,

Richard’s path started with his parent’s decision to move to Texas to join family members. “We moved to Nacogdoches in the 1950s from Michigan,” Richard DeWitt said. “At first in the turkey business, then in raising chickens. That’s how I grew up on chicken farms and hatcheries. Later on, when I was in high school, my dad decided to open a Kentucky Fried Chicken store. The first was in Lufkin in 1966, the second in Nacogdoches. He got up to 71 restaurants.” The decision to become KFC franchisees took place after a unique product test. “We were in Galveston with our cousins,” DeWitt said. “Dad sent me next door to buy some Kentucky Fried Chicken. I bought three buckets, which seemed like

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NO.

1 LARGE

Business of the Year

a lot of chicken. I went back two times and bought three more buckets each time. Everyone was raving about it. I don’t know if that was when he made up his mind, but that was my first taste of Kentucky Fried Chicken.” “I worked for dad for 20 years,” DeWitt said. “I started in the Lufkin store. Then I delivered supplies to all the stores.” He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1971 with a business degree. As a Lumberjack and a business owner, DeWitt appreciates the many SFA students who have worked at his and Barbara’s restaurants. “I believe we have better employees now,” he said. “Jeremy started as a waiter. He is a valued employee. He has a family and is doing well. He has six or seven assistant managers.” The name Clear Springs comes from the first store’s central Texas location. The building “is actually in the town of Clear Springs,” DeWitt said Multiple locations might sound like a chain, but DeWitt insists it is not. “It is a family owned restaurant,” he said. “I think a chain has to be a little longer.” The family atmosphere of the restaurants is a touchstone. After 30 years, a hurricane and thousands of onions, the restaurant keeps making special towns in Texas all the more special.

MAST MOTORSPORTS

ast Motorsports started in 2008 in Nacogdoches, and now employs 15 in Texas and 6 in Michigan.

option to all the drivers,” Mast said. “We designed the cylinder head and intake manifold that allow those engines to make all their power. In fact, our engines have swept every race of season so far.”

Because of its innovation and economic impact, the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce has named Mast Motorsports its 2015 Medium Business of the Year.

Mast gives credit to those who work with him, and others supporting his dreams.

“The company started as a controllerbased manufacturer,” Durrett said.

“The employees are a group of special guys,” he said. “They are the most important people in my life, in my family and my wife’s lives. They are highly-skilled group of people from Texas, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Iowa. They are skilled craftsmen, dedicated and passionate about what they do. They have helped us grow our name, our brand and our product.”

Engine controllers are the wiring, computer and harness to run electronic fuel injection systems.

The young engineer is running fullthrottle on enthusiasm for a new venture Mast Powertrain.

“We were building the engine management systems for GM, Dodge and Ford engines,” Durrett said. “It quickly took off in the General Motors LS market, and we decided to focus on that.”

While many of the Powertrain programs are still in development, Mast is proud that components he designed for a multi-fuel generator engine have been in production for two years. A related propane-powered engine is slated to go into volume production for use in International school busses. “You’ll see propane-powered International school busses coming off the line at the rate of thousands per year using the parts we design and manufacture here in Nacogdoches,” Mast said.

General Manager Chris Durrett describes the early days, when the company operated out of one of John Mast’s buildings in downtown Nacogdoches.

“We designed a controller that allows you to put any new engine into almost any older vehicle,” Durrett said. “We’ve got people putting them in airboats. Then we got into building our own engines and making our own cylinder heads.” New programs for Mast Motorsports include a cylinder head and intake manifold for a crate engine used in the ARCA series, which uses veteran NASCAR vehicles. “The cars have a new engine that is an

The implications for Nacogdoches are huge. A growing technology-based company paying high wages improves a local economy. “We are an engineering company,” Mast

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NO.

1 MEDIUM

Business of the Year

said. “So we have skilled employees. For a medium-sized business our average payroll is significantly higher than others here. We focus on skill sets that are not normally found in a town this size. Most companies like ours would be near Detroit or in California, where all the Tier One’s like TRD and Toyota have their technological centers to do the work we do here.” And the best is yet to come.

Horace Mast poses with a multi-fuel engine he designed that is connected to a dynamometer at Mast Motorsports in Nacogdoches, Texas. | photo by Bruce R. Partain

NO.

1 SMALL

Business of the Year

Shelley Brophy sits at a table in her downtown restaurant, Shelley's Bakery Cafe. | photo by Kelly Daniel

SHELLEY'S BAKERY CAFE helley Brophy identifies her restaurant as an “independent alternative” for residents and tourists. It is one of the parts of the Nacogdoches whole.

“Shelley’s Bakery Cafe gives customers an enjoyable and casual dining choice, improves the value of downtown and promotes all of the community,” said Jessica Henderson, Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. “Because of the contributions and positive impact the business makes, the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce board named Shelley’s Bakery Cafe as Small Business of the Year.” Brophy said the success comes from testing and adapting along the way and doing homework before the business opened in June 2006, with input from community leaders, friends and family. Before there was the thought of opening Shelley’s Bakery Cafe, Brophy earned a master’s degree and worked in the field of grief counseling that included hospice and Alzheimer’s

patients and their families. Close friend Nancy Speck Mangham also worked in the same area and became an encourager for the new business. “Because I interrupted what I was doing and opened up a restaurant doesn’t mean I stopped having the interest. It never went away,” Brophy said. “I am still involved in that area, and Nancy and I share that, and she loves the restaurant.” Brophy predicts that the recent growth of local healthcare services will be good for business, and important in the livability of the city. For tourists, Brophy and her staff take every opportunity to make their visits to the restaurant and the town the best they can be by promoting the unique sites and attractions. McDonald said, “Her gift to us is her big smile, welcoming hugs, listening ear and determination. Shelley is always thinking how she can help improve the lives of our citizens. She is a great restaurateur, servant of our people and dear friend.”

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LUFKIN/ANGELINA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR

mall businesses are so important to The Chamber. This year, Lufkin is seeing a good number of new small businesses start up in Lufkin and Angelina County.

Real Graphics – Chris & Emily Fleniken

Chris Fleniken embarked on his career in graphic design as a part-time job more than 8 years ago. He was fully involved in youth ministry in Lufkin. A church member noticed his talent, and soon Chris was designing things for friends and church members as a part-time job. After renting 2 store rooms for his printer, he hired a part-time employee who had previously interned for him. Later, his first employee, Emily, would become his wife and full-time graphic designer. Over the past eight years, the part-time business and small building space on South Timberland has grown into a business with nine full-time employees. Fleniken now owns most of the building where he first rented a small space for his printer. Real Graphics now includes a complete print shop and their company slogan is “We do it all.” The only challenge Chris and his team face is having enough space for their supplies and employees. They’re hopeful to expand and possibly add a location in the future. Real Graphics continues to bless others who are just starting their business as they give them guidance on how to grow a small business. Their personal touch and kindness defines Real Graphics as the 2015 Division III Small Business of the Year.

Carroway Funeral Home – Roy Carroway

As a high school student, Roy Carroway began working for a local funeral home. His long term goal was to own his own

Realizing the magnitude and variety of small business sizes, the Chamber recognizes businesses at three levels: Division 1 with 51-100 employees, Division 2 with 11-50 employees, and Division 3 with 1-10 employees.

funeral home. In 1999, he was blessed to see the beginning of that goal. A year after opening a funeral home in Lufkin, he opened another in Huntington. In 2002, Carroway Funeral Home moved to a new location, which is the current location you see today on South John Redditt. In the beginning, Roy was the only funeral home director with three employees helping him day and night. Employee tenure and low turnover shows with his first employee still with him 16 years later. Today, Carroway Funeral home employs 30 people who take care of more than 400 families a year. This individual’s experience sums up Carroway Funeral Home best. “The personal care you gave to the arrangements meant more than you’ll ever know. Your care and compassion really helped ease the burden and Roy you are not only a great friend...you are family to us.”

Lufkin Daily News – Neice Bell

For 108 years, our community has been connected to one another and the world through the words and images dropped on our doorsteps by the Lufkin News. Today, with a staff of 56, the daily newspaper utilizes the latest technology for newsgathering and production to bring breaking news alerts, local stories and much more to readers. Congratulations to the Lufkin Daily News on their Small Business Award.

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Each of this year’s recipients share a common thread of how they treat their employees as family and how customer service is so important to them. They are each dedicated to making Angelina County a better place to live and do business.

submitted by Angelina Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS : Leadership

BUSINESS : In

the Know

LOCAL NEWS & LEGISLATIVE UPDATES TRAVIS CLARDY | TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE

special highlight of this month was welcoming Governor Greg Abbott to East Texas to take an inaugural ride on the Texas State Railroad. It was an historic and fun experience shared by eight Texas governors. Several state legislators, elected city and county officials from Palestine and Rusk and other state officials made the scenic trip with the governor from Palestine to Rusk and enjoyed a barbecue lunch together afterwards. It was fun to hear the governor share about his grandfather who was a train conductor and inspiring to hear his memories of his mother reading him the book, The Little Engine That Could, which prepared him to persevere through difficult and challenging circumstances later in his life. It was a memorable day.

This month my legislative focus turned to getting feedback from voters as I hosted town hall meetings around the district. I enjoyed these informal opportunities to discuss a wide range of topics including education, transportation, water, taxes, medical marijuana, open carry, texting while driving and many other issues that were considered in the 84th Texas Legislature. I appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas and information with my fellow citizens about how to strengthen Texas and keep moving forward. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an honor to represent the citizens of East Texas and my office is here to serve you. Feel free to call my District (936-560-3982) or Capitol (512-463-0592) office with any questions or requests for assistance.

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TRENT ASHBY | TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE

ver the past few weeks, we have seen some backlash and hostility towards our law enforcement community in the national press and on social media. Like you, I am very thankful for the work they do keeping us safe, and I think we should all honor them in every way possible. As you encounter law enforcement over the next few weeks, I would encourage you to thank them for their service, as they put their life on the line each and every day to protect each of us and our families. Please join me in giving them the respect and honor they deserve. A Bill and Some Change As you know, there has been a major push for increased border security over

the past few years, and the Texas House of Representatives has been very successful at identifying and solving the problems related to that issue. One of these solutions from the last legislative session was Senate Bill (SB) 374. SB 374 requires all state agencies to electronically verify the employment status of their employees prior to hiring using the nationwide E-Verify system. This system will prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining these jobs, regardless of whether they have illegally entered the country or overstayed their legal visa. The change in SB 374 will have a positive impact for our workforce and will help to deter future illegal immigration. Constitutional Amendments:â&#x20AC; Part 4 of 7 Continuing our seven part series, we will be taking an in-depth look at the fourth proposed constitutional amendments leading up to the constitutional amendments election on November 3rd, 2015. Proposition 4 on this Novemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ballot would allow professional sports teams to operate charitable raffles through the charitable foundations they operate. Many professional sports teams are involved in admirable causes and raise money for sick children and others who need assistance. Â Prop 4 will allow teams to have their fans to donate to these worthy causes and expand their ability to fund-

raise through a raffle. I believe with the passage of this proposition, Texans will have more opportunities to give to those in need and be able to work together with the other fans of their team to see the world changed for the better. Additionally, it is important to note that if you have moved or are not registered to vote, the deadline for voter registration is in less than a month on Monday, October 5, 2015. Early voting will be from October 19th through October 30th. If you have any questions regarding any of the proposed amendments or on how to register to vote, please call my office at (512) 463-0508. We will be glad to help you navigate the process. Reminders For the convenience of constituents not wanting to travel far from home, the regular mobile office is set for September 16th at the Houston County Courthouse Annex from 8:30am to 11:00am, and the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30pm to 4:00pm. Finally, the mobile office will be at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 8:30am to 11:00am on September 23rd. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (936) 634-2762 or (512) 463-0508 if we can ever be of assistance, and remember that our door is always open.

BUSINESS : Chamber

News

Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for US Health Adv isors, 507 E . Hospital St., Ste. 109, 936-205-6461, www.ushagent.com/sandyslone. Licensed Agent Sandy Slone welcomed sponsors, Chamber members and guests.

Luf kin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce gave a Red Carpet Salute to Hospice in the Pines.

Luf kin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce gave a Red Carpet Salute to Angelina Plastic Surgery.

Luf kin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Sleep Inn Main Stay Suites.

Luf kin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a groundbreaking ceremony for Shaffer Funeral Home.

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BUSINESS : The

Freezer Section

Go shout it from the rooftops friends –

the wait is over!

ugust 31st saw the return of Blue Bell to certain Texas markets helping bring a nice cool end to a long, hot summer. Brookshire Brothers in Brenham was one of the lucky stores to receive shipments of the frozen treat on its first day back, and the excitement couldn’t be contained. Throngs of people turned out bedazzled, beaded, painted and stickered to welcome Blue Bell back with open arms and appreciative bellies. Brookshire Brothers opened their doors bright and early the morning of the 31st to happy customers with a bounce in their step and Blue Bell on their minds. Children (normally grumpy from knowing they have to go to school) were bubbly and engaging knowing that scoops of their favorite flavor of ice cream would be waiting for them after school. Applause rang out as Blue Bell hit the freezers informally announcing its return to the lives of those in Brenham. For not only did it signal the homecoming of an icon, it represented the return of jobs, the rebirth of a community and an influx of hope to residents whose lives have been influenced by Blue Bell Creameries for more than 100 years. Proud to be a part of the excitement, Brookshire Brothers handed out ice cream scoops to each person who purchased Blue Bell and gave two lucky customers the opportunity to enjoy Blue Bell free for an entire year, compliments of the grocery store. As one of the winner’s said about a year’s worth of ice cream, “This is the cherry on the top of my Blue Bell!”

As we in East Texas wait patiently for our area to see Blue Bell trucks rolling though our towns, Brookshire Brothers is already planning a big surprise for its customers. “Anyone who loves Blue Bell will be happy to see it in our freezers again,” said Kim Ogden, Public Relations Manager for Brookshire Brothers. “We hope to build on that excitement by stepping outside of the box and providing our customers with both Blue Bell and a promotion worthy of such a pairing. It’s going to be great!” So here’s to the end of summer, the beginning of fall, and the return of Blue Bell!

Pictured: Lyssa L. was one of the lucky winners of the years worth of Blue Bell compliments of Brookshire Brothers.

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in East Texas 80 NATURE'S EYE | 82 ON THE COURT | 84 TROPHY ROOM | 85 FITNESS

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

how to hunt oak

hen I ask fellow hunters, “How’d your deer season go?” there’s one response I get far too often from far too many people that never ceases to amaze and disturb me. They’ll say, “Oh it wasn’t too good; there were too many acorns in the woods.” You may have heard this excuse before or even said it yourself. My question is, how is that a bad thing? If the deer are sticking to the woods to eat, then get off the food plots and get in the woods with them. But if you wait to see whether deer are coming to plots or not, you’re too late. Now is the time to be scouting your oaks to plan your hunting strategy accordingly.

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Eye

written by Emily Courtney

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Nature's

How to Hunt Oak /// Continued

If you know what to look for, you can get a relatively good idea about your property’s acorn crop before any even hit the ground. It’s important to understand that crop quality/size and drop times are variable and dependent on many different factors. Although there is a somewhat “standard” time frame for each species of oak, those are loose estimates at best. Species drop times can vary from state to state or region to region or can even be altered by weather conditions. Drop times can also differ from tree to tree within a species. Each individual tree is unique, with its own genetically determined potential and behavior. You can have twenty Cherry bark oaks on the same ridge and each one may produce and drop its acorns at a slightly different time. Individual trees are usually quite consistent in their timing from year to year, which can allow us to learn their patterns. September is the ideal time to begin acorn scouting. The early season droppers (such as water, willow, and other red oaks) should already have green acorns on the branches that are large enough to be seen. Of course, you will need to be able to identify the different species. If you’re not already familiar with them, consult with a biologist or invest in an ID book and teach yourself. Once you know your species, go out with your binoculars and take note of which individual trees are loaded and which aren’t. Also pay attention to past patterns of deer movement and current sign. When it comes to food sources, deer select what they prefer and need the most. If acorns are available during the early season, that’s where the deer will be. They contain some protein, but are known more for helping deer pack on carbs and fats before winter. If there are trails to a particular tree or grove of trees year after year, you can infer that those trees are good producers. When you identify high traffic areas with loaded oaks, go ahead and hang a stand there now so you’ll be ready to sneak in and hunt that spot as soon as they start to drop. Even on public land, this kind of scouting will give you an edge over other hunters.

Figure out where the deer will want to be before the deer themselves know. Weather conditions and other factors can affect your strategy as well. Rainfall plays a role in productivity. A storm with high winds can strip a tree of its acorns that normally may not have fallen for a few more days. Pay attention to these kinds of activities and how they affect the resources on your property. As with any individual resource, acorns are only one part of the ecosystem and should be considered along with all of the other resources deer need, and their availability on your property. If you start scouting and see that the acorn crop looks to be light, then you can focus your strategy more on other resources. However, even in a low yield year, some trees will produce more than others, which only makes it easier to hone in on a particular tree. Persimmons are another great early season food source to pinpoint. They are the last soft mast available for the year, which makes them a highly desired commodity. If you don’t have any naturally occurring on your place, consider planting some. Introducing new species to complement existing resources can be a highly effective management strategy. Get to know your woods, and identify any lacking resources or gaps in food availability. Then have a biologist help you choose a custom blend of species to fill those needs. Create sustainable drop times on your property by matching the proper species to your site. Hunting food sources in the woods holds a completely different dynamic than the food plot hunting experience. Both have their advantages, and I’ve spent many enjoyable hours sitting on food plots. But I feel unsettled when plots and supplemental feeding become a crutch and strip away the skill and anticipation that should be an inherent part of the hunt. Using those traditional skills like scouting and learning the woods only enhance the experience and make the reward that much sweeter.

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS : On

the Court

KARLEY MCHENRY

raveling and experiencing the world is a privilege that not a lot of people get in this lifetime, especially at the age of 17. Karley McHenry, a 17 year old from Pollok, Texas who attends Central High school, received the opportunity to travel to Australia this year. Even more, she was able to travel doing something she loves! Throughout her years in school, Karley has played and developed her talents in basketball. After being chosen as First Team All-District, Karley’s coach received a letter from Down Under Sports inviting Karley to play in the Down Under Tournament in Australia. Of course, this was an opportunity she just couldn’t pass up! In the Down Under Tournament, Karley played on a team called the Cougars. She held the positions of shooting guard and post while her team played against several other USA and Australia teams throughout the tournament. In the end, Karley’s team won 1st out of 11 teams. Her team was also the first USA Women’s team to win the Down Under Tournament. Though she came to Australia to play in the tournament, Karley was able to do some sightseeing in Australia. When she

wasn’t playing or practicing, Karley really enjoyed her opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. Karley also has many wonderful memories from the tournament, especially from the final game that led to her team’s victory. “Our final game we were down by 18 at halftime to an Australian team that had yet to be beat and came back with the win to take 1st place!”

In addition to playing basketball, Karley loves wake boarding and hanging out with her friends. She is involved in FFA and the Angelina County Youth Fair. In the future, Karley would love to continue playing basketball at the collegiate level. Her experience playing in and winning the Down Under Tournament is something she will always remember and treasure.

Mental illness is [Even when you can’t see it.] Mental illness is real, and it’s all around us. Depression. Anxiety. Bi-polar disorder. Eating disorders. One in four of us will face a mental illness in any given year. Yet, too many people are afraid to get the help they need or even talk about it with their friends or family. We need your help. Visit myburke.org/REAL to get the facts, learn how to help those in need, and read stories of people right here in East Texas that are taking control of their mental health.

To make an appointment with a mental health care professional, call 936-634-5010.

IF YOU’RE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, CALL BURKE’S 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE AT 1-800-392-8343.

SPORTS & OUTDOORS :

Norris Nelson. Yellow Fin Tuna. 1st Off Shore Trip. Freeport, TX. 9/7/15.

Trophy Room

Kelly Hyde. Yellow Fin Tuna. Freeport, TX. 9/7/15.

(left) Weston Hyde, 12 yrs old. 1st Offshore Trip. Amber Jack- 60 pounds! Freeport, TX. 9/7/15. (right) Clifford Wiedman. Ling cod. La Push, WA.

Braxton FarrellÂ

Clifford Wiedman. King salmon. La Push, WA.

Wade and Alex Capps. 80 lbs and 100 lbs in Corrigan.

Clifford Wiedman. White sturgeon. Columbia River. WA.

Will Deaton Gillen. Dove Hunt Abilene.

Ganns & Parks Dove Hunt.

Send a photo of your trophy hunt & information to photos@tjmag.com. Submissions are free of charge.

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Surround Yourself with

Awesome

t has been said that you are the sum total of the five people that you hang around the most. I firmly believe this to be true. If you hang around people that are always smiling, laughing and are happy, you will be happier. If you hang around a bunch of “Debbie downers,” you will tend to be more negative. Same goes for your eating habits, work out habits, etc. Your “core” group determines your attitude and can very much effect your overall health and fitness. So, what is the solution? The way I see it you have a couple options. One, you can kick all of those negative people to the curb and find you a new, more positive group. Or, second, perhaps you can surround yourself with books, podcast, videos, etc. that align with your goals. Several months ago I read a book, Today We Are Rich, by Tim Sanders. In the book, he discusses the power and importance of positive thinking. I would put this book in my top five reads of all time. It really changed the way that I think. I have long suffered from fearing the worst, and still struggle with it, but now I try to surround myself with people that lift my spirit. I also try to always think positive, even when I don’t necessarily believe it. It has had a dramatic effect on my life. “Almost any negative thought pattern can be broken with thoughts of gratitude. When you ‘think thanks,’ you dial into what you have instead of what you lack. The effect is immediate—you feel positive.” ― Tim Sanders

SOME THINGS I RECOMMEND: 1. Surround yourself with a community of positive thinking people. 2. Always think positive thoughts, even when you may not believe them. 3. Surround yourself with ideas that support your goal. If you want to quit drinking, don’t hang out at the bar. If you want to be fit, try hanging out with people that are fit. 4. Practice gratitude.

written by Jason Skinner, Co-Owner of LoudHouse CrossFit

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Fitness

TJMAG&CO | an original since 2005