EAST by Michelle Haney

August/September 2010

M a t t Purke’s

NEXT MOVE

SPORTSMEN

Robert Platt & Ryan Watkins

ARE YOU A

LEADER

WORTH FOLLOWING?

THE NEXT LEVEL

The Nac Pac Jazz Trio

trey Haley

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010

CONTENTS

6 8 10 11 13 15 17 18

THE SPORTSMAN Robert Platt & Ryan Watkins

HUNTING REPORT East Texas Hog Hunting

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES JAKES Field Day Event

FISHING EAST TEXAS Sam Rayburn Fall Tournament Schedule

SPORTS CENTER Matt Purke

THE NEXT LEVEL Trey Haley

HIGH-TECH Universal Remote Controls

LIFEPOINT Are you a leader worth following?

20 21 22 24 25 27 30 32

HAPPENINGS

The Nac Pac Jazz Trio

NEWSWORTHY Pineywoods Purgatory

MAN CAVES Terry Wise

CAR AND DRIVER Henry Ford Would Be Proud

ON THE GREENS Crown Colony Country Club

RANCH AND RODEO Winston 8 Ranch

TROPHY HUNTS SWAP SHOP Augu

st/ Septe

er 20

Ma Purk t t NEXT e’s M

COVER PHOTO BY CHARLES CAMARILLO

OVE

Rob T S M E N ert & Ry Platt an W atkin The N s ac Pac Ja

ARE

LEA

zz Tr

io east

men

Stephanie Oliver President Michelle Briley Director of Sales Kay Hendricks Acco u n t Exe c u t i ve Michelle Haney Layout and Design

CONTRIBUTORS F LW Ou td o o rs Da l e B o u n d s J P H ea t h J ef f Aw t rey G re g g Du r h a m Do n n i e G r i g g Do u g J a m es

DISTRUBUTION Lufkin J a n e t G l ove r Co l to n Row l s

sma

gazi

ne.c

YOU

E N E

FOLL WORT R OW H ING ?

Trey

Hale

ADVERTISEMENT INFORMATION EAST PO BOX 150537 LUFKIN, TX 75915 936-635-7369

Daryl Sparks Graphic Designer Jennifer Williams Copy Editor

editor@eastmensmagazine.com eastmensmagazine.com | 5

the sportsman/ robert platt and ryan watkins

Robert Platt (left) and Ryan Watkins (right) win the National Guard FLW College Fishing Texas Division event on Toledo Bend June 19.

he Stephen F. Austin team of to 25 feet all day long,” said Watkins, who Our crankbait bite really died because of Robert Platt of Orange Park, is a junior kinesiology major. “We fished the lack of wind, but we ended up catching Fla., and Ryan Watkins of the north end of lake where there are a the majority of everything before 8:30. We Nacogdoches, Texas, won the bunch of ridges and brushpiles. We threw caught our last keeper at 12:15.” National Guard FLW College a Rapala DT16 shad-colored crankbait and Watkins said the weather was perfect for Fishing Texas Division event alternated that with an 11-inch NetBait the event, with just enough wind to keep on Toledo Bend Saturday, June 19, with soft plastic worm and a Red Bug-colored the team cool. six bass weighing 19 pounds, 1 ounce. The victory earned “The best thing was winning back-to-back “You know, the best thing about today was not the team $10,000 to be split tournaments. It’s been a long time since I winning the money,” said evenly between the university and the university’s bass- won back to back. It means a lot to me and Watkins, who won the 2009 fishing club. The win also adds a lot of credibility to my career and is College Fishing event on Toledo Bend. “The best helped them advance to the Texas Division Regional always fun. But to do it at this level makes thing was winning backto-back tournaments. It’s Championship where they it that much sweeter.” a long time since I could ultimately win a Ranger - Ryan Watkins been won back to back. It means 177TR with a 90-horsepower a lot to me and adds a lot engine wrapped in school colors for their Zoom Trick Worm. of credibility to my career and is always school’s bass club and $25,000 for the “The big one came on the crankbait,” fun. But to do it at this level makes it that school they represent. Watkins added. “For some reason, they much sweeter.” “We started out deep first thing in the weren’t eating a drop shot (rig), so we morning and never got shallower than 19 relied on the Texas rigs and soft plastics. 6 | EAST - August/September 2010

the sportsman/ continued Rounding out the top five teams were LSU - Douglas McClung of Gramercy, La., and Travis Laurent of Gonzales, La., (six bass, 175, $5,000); Lamar University - Matt Morrison of Silsbee, Texas, and Danny Iles of Hemphill, Texas, (three bass, 12-6, $4,000); Baylor University - Brian Bauer of Waco, Texas, and Joseph Garland of West, Texas, (five bass, 12-2, $3,000); LSU-Shreveport - Gavin Havard of Bossier City, La., and Joe Landry of Shreveport, La., (three bass, 8-13, $2,000). The top five teams in each division’s qualifying events advance to one of five televised three day National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championships. College Fishing is free to enter, boats and drivers are provided by FLW Outdoors and all collegiate teams receive a travel allowance. The top five teams from each regional championship will advance to the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship. The National Championship is a three-day televised event hosting the top five teams from each regional, 25 total teams. Teams will be provided jerseys and wrapped Ranger boats towed by Chevy trucks for this competition. The 2009 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship was held April 10-12 at Ft. Loudoun and was hosted by the University of Tennessee. The University of Florida was the first National Guard FLW Collegiate National Champion and qualified for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup Aug. 5-8 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga. The winners also received use of a wrapped boat and Chevy truck for Cup competition.

eastmensmagazine.com | 7

About FLW Outdoors FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com http://www. ﬂwoutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit: FantasyFishing.com http://www.fantasyfishing.com Texas Regional - Sam Rayburn/Cassels-Boykin Park 10-28-2010 - 10-30-2010 - Sam Rayburn Reservoir For more information visit: www.collegefishing.com

huntinG report/ east teXas Hog Hunting

by dale bounds and Matt brown

“What a time, I knew the people at home wouldn’t believe anything I told them until they saw the pictures and video. It has been the experience of a lifetime.”

n February 17-20th, 2010, the Pinewoods NWTF Chapter hosted Matt Brown and Bryan Lange from South Dakota for three days of hog hunting at different prime hunting clubs in deep East Texas, . . The Pinewoods NWTF Chapter of East Texas and the Southern Hill Chapter in Custer, South Dakota, in support of their banquet programs, traded the three-day hog hunt in East Texas for a three-day Merriam turkey hunt in South Dakota. The marathon adventure began at Pine Island Hunting Club with hunters enjoying the hospitality and morning hunt from our host, Adam Huggins. They were unable to harvest a hog because the hogs hit their bait before day light. There were many signs and hogs spotted, but no opportunity to take a clear shot. We then moved to Black Cat Hunting Club with our guide, Doug Russell for an action packed dog/hog hunt with Bubba Byron, Larry Smith and Jessie and Morris Platt. We were greeted and hosted by the club members and the party was on with a great meal of rib eye steaks. The dogs were howling to hunt and we were ready to go. The dogs bayed three mature hogs in the 150200 pound range. Two big mean bore hogs were bayed and caught by their dogs. Both Matt and Bryan stuck and killed these big bore hogs. Man, were these two South Dakota cowboys pumped! The dogs then caught a 200+ pound sow hog and the catch dog nailed him. Looking at the situation, the South Dakota boys decided to release this big ole’ gal because they were ½ mile from the ATV in rough cut over woods. A dilemma arose because the catch dog would not let go of the hog! So, Big Bubba took his razor sharp knife and trimmed the pigs ear off, freeing her from the dog. After that, they caught a big ill tempered black bore hog in a wire hog trap. The boys roped the hog, drug him out of the trap and operated on him right then and there with “Dr. Bubba” doing the cutting! Bryan and Matt’s eyes were wide open, big as Silver Dollars during all this excitement, but they were right in step with Dr. Bubba, holding down the hog for him. Dollar Hide Hunting Club on the ﬂooded Neches river was next on the docket where Gene Sullivan and Terry Wheeler were our hosts. The hunters settled in and hunted two stands until black dark. Right at dark, a monster black bore hog stepped out of the dark woods. Bryan let the air out of him and dropped him in his tracks with his 7 magnum! The trophy bore weighted in at 238 pounds. He will be on Bryan ’s wall in South Dakota as a reminder of this memorable hunt.

The river flood made the hunt tough, but we still had a good time. As usual, the campfire time and Bobby Nichols, famous Duck Gumbo cook, was enjoyed by this high spirited group. The last catch of the hunt was at Paper Mill Pasture in Polk County, across and down the river from Cypress South Dakota hunters, Matt Brown Lake. The hounds cornered and Bryan Lange with their East a huge Barrow Hog down Texas trophy hog. in the flooded Neches river bottom. The boys got a couple of ropes on it, drug her out and loaded her into a cattle trailer alive. This hog surely would be 300 pounds. So, the bet was on and everyone offered up a wager to her weight. She weighted 270 pounds with Adam Huggins winning the wager. Matt and Bryan are going to have a whole bunch of Gene Sullivan’s famous choice cut smoked sausage, plus a story the boys won’t believe back home…ace in the hole…all is on video. I heard the word awesome a lot these last 4 days. We all retreated to Gene’s clubhouse for a Terry Wheeler- Gene Sullivan Texas style Bar-B-Q and Cindy Stafford’s delicious, homemade coconut and pecan pies. That wasn’t it though, not so fast…Luis Stuart, 72 year old club member, made these South Dakota boys an offer they couldn’t refuse. The three of them loaded up at 9 pm in his 14 foot John Boat in search of another hog beast! They returned at 1:30 am with tales of near misses and glowing eyes in the night darkness and river fog. What a great time for everyone with only 4 hours of sleep on the last night. The last time we saw Matt and Bryan, they were racing south down Hwy 59 to Houston ’s airport for an 11am flight home with big smiles and big tales, a wall trophy, fresh meat and a lifetime memorable hunt. According to Matt Brown, “What a time, I knew the people at home wouldn’t believe anything I told them until they saw the pictures and video. We were amazed at our adventure. Both Bryan and I crashed hard last night after going pretty much nonstop for the last 5 days. It has been the experience of a lifetime.”

On behalf of the Pinewoods NWTF Chapter, thanks to everyone Cypress Lake Hunting Club boys with Monty Stafford as the who helped make these lifetime memories for our new friends leader provided the next adventure. Bo and Larry Smith brought in fresh hog hounds and teamed up with Bubba Byron again from South Dakota and for us, too. for another good hunt at Cypress, but there was no luck here. 8 | EAST - August/September 2010

skills and techniques/jakes field day event

wildlife management and traditions of safe, ethical and responsible hunting to youth up to age 17. Hands-on activities during the Texas State JAKES events will include fishing, archery, target shooting, and game calling with champion Turkey caller Jason Isabelle, as well as instruction on hunting, conservation, the wild turkey and more. A great event is being planned for all. The fee is $10 per youth which includes JAKES membership, t-shirt and lunch. JAKES members across North America receive JAKES Magazine, which features fun and educational articles focused on items of interest to young readers. Xtreme JAKES members receive Xtreme JAKES Magazine, an interactive, online magazine just for teens who enjoy the outdoors and hunting.

Karen Stafford - TFS explains to JAKES the benfits of fire in the ecosystem.

he April AWOL and Pineywoods NWTF chapters are hosting the annual Texas State JAKES field day event, full of outdoor activities on September18 at Winston Land and Cattle Co. in Nacogdoches County. The field day will provide opportunities for youth to experience the outdoors through hands-on events, education, fellowship and family fun. Those attending the JAKES field day will learn about hunting, camping, fishing, and many other conservation-related topics. “JAKES events allow youth to try new things by engaging them in all kinds of outdoor activities, sports and seminars,” said Dale Bounds, the Texas State JAKES Coordinator. “This event will bring together active kids with ‘get up and go’ attitudes who share an interest in something bigger than themselves – wildlife and conservation.” The NWTF’s JAKES program (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) teaches the principles of

by dale bounds

ABOUT NWTF: When the NWTF was founded in 1973, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America , thanks to the efforts of state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners. Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to more than 400,000 today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its conservation mission. Together, the NWTF’s partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

Each JAKES event focuses on conservation and outdoor recreation, with expert instructors teaching important lessons in wildlife management tied into a strong family-values theme. With an emphasis on fun, the events keep kids interested while learning. The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF’s volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting. Together, the NWTF’s partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat. The cost is $10 each. For more information on the event and registration contact: Dale Bounds at936-637 4972, Email: dkbounds@suddenlink.net or Craig White at 936- 552 1942, Email : craigswhite@yahoo.com for a application form.

10 | EAST - August/September 2010

Jason Isabelle, Texas State calling Champion Turkey brought this great Eastern Tom into range for Gage with his champion calling, Gage did the rest. Gene Sullivan pictured with Gage, bought this hunt at the Nacogdoches April AWOL Hunting Heritage Banquet in February 2010.

FISHING east texas Sam Rayburn

Fall Tournament Schedule

August 14 Bud Light Tour Umphrey Family Pavilion 14 Anglers Quest Saturday Series #8 Mill Creek Park 15 Anglers Quest Individual Series #8 Mill Creek Park

September 4 Anglers Quest Saturday Series #9 Mill Creek Park 5 Anglers Quest Individual Series #9 Mill Creek Park 8 PAR Bass Club San Augustine 11 PAR Bass Club San Augustine 11-12 Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship Umphrey Family

Pavilion

18-19 Bass N Bucks Championship Umphrey Family Pavilion 25 Bud Light Tour Umphrey Family Pavilion

October 9 Rayburn Oilmen Classic Umphrey Family Pavilion 15-17 BASS Master Women’s Tour, Sam Rayburn 16 Get Reel Bass Anglers ((Club)) Mill Creek Park 23- 24 CAST Championship Cassell Boykin 28-30 FLW College Series, Sam Rayburn 30- 31 Media Bass Championship Jackson Hill Marina

November 13 Bud Light Tour Umphrey Family Pavilion

December 4 Bass N Bucks 2011 Season Opener Umphrey Family Pavilion 13 Bud Light Tour Umphrey Family Pavilion

eastmensmagazine.com | 11

sports center/ by j.p. HeatH

or someone so young in life, grounded by solid family inﬂuences, touched by God to throw a baseball sixtyand-a-half feet like a whiﬄe ball at times, and who is a too-good-to-be true kid himself, Matt Purke has had a surprising shadow of controversy.

Margaret continued co-owning Mar Teres tea room in Lufkin.

The Lufkin native dazzled the college baseball world in June, turning in two spectacular mound performances in as many outings for TCU at the College World Series in Omaha. First up was a ho-hum mowing down of Florida State followed by a clutch gut-check win over UCLA. The win against the Bruins not only broke the Horned Frogs single season wins record, it capped a season where he was the consensus National Freshman of the Year and a first team All America with an NCAA-best 16-0 record.

Gamble number two came about a year ago, two months after the 2009 MLB Draft. With his dad acting as chief adviser, they elected to turn down the Texas Rangers multi-million dollar offer after they made him the 14th overall pick.

“I knew going into this season we were going to be good, especially with Bryan Holday (All America catcher) and Tyler Lockwood (all Mountain West Conference closer) coming back,” Purke told me on his mom’s cell phone while watching the national championship game on TV . “Of course our goal as a program was to make it to Omaha and win the national title.” The Frogs were eliminated one game short of reaching the title series.

Obviously, the move did not sit well with loyal Lufkinites, who would later wonder if Purke could have been the difference in the Panthers’ magical 2009 Class 5A playoff run, culminated by a loss in the State Championship Game. “Lufkin was where I was born and raised. That’s where my roots are. I have a lot of family and friends there that will always be close,” Purke said. “We also made a lot of friends in Spring, so I don’t regret the decision.” In a whirlwind 2008-09 timeframe, Purke was named the national High School Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America his junior year. Rivals scouting service deemed him the number one high school prospect in the nation a year later.

“It was a tough decision for me and my family to make, but I knew it was the right decision, “ Purke claimed. “I’m willing to deal with the consequences, but I know in the end it will work out for the best.” Yes, indeed, potentially it could. If he could come close to duplicating his spectacular freshman year next season, it’s not out of the question for him to be the number one overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft. For now, though, Purke is the definition of taking it easy. He’s

Consider us now approaching the crescendo of a three-act play. Next year the Purke family’s gambles could literally pay off in a big way. What gambles, you ask? Well…. In the beginning, Purke was a promising freshman for the Lufkin Panthers in 2006, but not on the varsity team, which is not unheard of for premium talent like Purke. After his freshman season, the family elected to enact gamble number one, partly moving down to Spring, where Matt was enrolled at traditionrich Klein. The belief was that playing in the Houston area would be an advantage to play in front of scouts. His dad, Lawrence, a former college basketball player, took a transfer within his company so he could be close by the wunderkind, while his mom

“It was a tough decision for me and my family to make, but I knew it was the right decision.“ eastmensmagazine.com | 13

Before a potential inﬂated bank account, Purke has one thing left in mind. “Our secret is out now. TCU is onto the scene. Our goal is a national title.”

J.P. Heath has worked around the East Texas sports scene since 2002. He currently broadcasts for Rice University and Texas A&M-Commerce. He has also been the play-by-play voice for Lufkin Panthers sports and Angelina College. He and his wife Lisa are members of Harmony Hill Baptist Church.

“Our secret is out now. TCU is onto the scene. Our goal is a national title.”

14 | EAST - August/September 2010

Matt Purke

declined an invitation to play for Team USA this summer after circling the globe the last few years with his mid 90’s fastball and crippling slider. “I just want to enjoy the time off with family and friends,” Purke said.

the next level/ trey Haley

by jeff awtrey

“I’m just taking it day-by-day, doing the best I can every start, for whatever level I’m on. I know if I do that I’ll be in the majors when I’m ready.” -Trey Haley

any times, especially in baseball, a player will enter the pros over-hyped and can never meet the high expectations set before them. Even though there is still a ways to go for Trey Haley, who was selected in the second round of the 2008 Major League Draft, he has pleased his employers with his progress.

The Central Heights graduate and San Augustine native began the year for the Lake County Captains with 4-0 record, good enough to place him on the Midwest League All-Star Game. “I feel great about it,” Haley said in a June telephone interview. “It’s a big honor to be selected.” The Captains are an Indians farm club and are located just outside Cleveland. So while Haley is groomed in the Indians organization, he’s able to check out his parent club on off-days. “They’re a really good program,” he said. “Everybody here is a class act. And what I really like about it is management puts an emphasis on building character off the field.” Haley’s happy about his decision to go pro right out of high school, but the decision wasn’t an easy one. He had already signed a letter of intent to play for Rice University, one of the top college programs in the country. With a spot locked up with the Owls, Haley was drafted 76th overall in the Draft. It was a decision Haley and his family labored over for two months. But in August, Haley signed with Cleveland. “We had a number in mind and everything worked out just right,” he said. “It was a family decision and we were happy with the way things came down.” Haley lived his whole life in San Augustine and played for the Wolves. But it was before his senior year that his family decided to relocate to Nacogdoches and enroll Haley, his two brothers, and sister into Central Heights.

“

as a hitter, batting nearly .500 his senior year and clubbing 12 home runs. But in the pros, management makes a decision to turn a player into a hitter or pitcher, and it was Haley’s arm that impressed scouts the most. While Haley knows the minor leagues are strictly about player development, with little emphasis placed on wins, his team is winning anyway. The Captains locked up a playoff spot with their first-half record. “We even had a players-only team meeting about it the other day,” Haley said. “We have a really unusual player chemistry that has turned us into a winning team.” But player development is key and Haley knows he’s being prepared for the next level. Pitchers at his level are held to an 85 pitch count. And he’s in no hurry to get to the majors. In fact, he says he doesn’t even have a goal in mind as far as a date for a major league debut. Haley says it’s just about doing the best he can now. “I’m just taking it day-by-day, doing the best I can every start, for whatever level I’m on,” he said. “I know if I do that, I’ll be in the majors when I’m ready.”

While he was drafted as a pitcher, he was certainly no slouch

Everybody here is a class act. And what I really like about it is management puts an emphasis on building character off the field.”

Jeff Awtrey has worked in East Texas media for 10 years and is assignments editor at KTRE-TV. He and his wife, Janine, are the parents of Adam, 6, and Emily, 3. eastmensmagazine.com | 15

hiGh tech/universally, Most people need a universal reMote! BY GREGG DURHAM

Common Scenario: You just got your dream home theater/surround sound system. Everything thing looks and sounds great and works perfectly. Your installer asks you, would you like to purchase a universal remote, to consolidate all of your remote controls. You tell the installer, no I’ve got this. I will save the money and I will call you, if I decide I want one. The installer leaves and on the coffee table lies an arsenal, an arsenal of remote controls: you have your surround sound receiver remote, your Blu Ray player remote, your iPod controller remote, satellite receiver remote, outside amp/zone 2 remote control, and finally your TV remote control. That is six remote controls you have to navigate through on most basic systems. After looking at them for a bit, you tell your wife to come in and show her everything. She looks at the table of terror and says she will never, ever touch anything. You then tell her it is so easy. First you pick up this remote and turn this on, then grab this remote to turn on the satellite, then this remote, and so on. You ask your wife, do you have it down and she then says no and I will never touch any of this, ever. Then usually the husband calls the next day to buy a universal remote from us. Like they say, if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!

This scenario happens with our customers on regular basis. The solution to make everyone happy and to make the system easy to use is to purchase a PC programmed Universal Remote Control! There are several universal remote controls on the market and just like most anything else, you need to spend some money to get a decent one. We have spent years experimenting with several different remotes and the brand we most commonly use is Universal Remote Control (www.universalremote.com). In our opinion, for the money, programming ﬂexibility, and ease of use, they have the best products. To look at their entire product line, go to http://www.universalremote.com/pro/products.php.

Our most popular remote control is the MX900 by Universal Remote Control. The unit sells for about $450. That may seem like a lot, but if you are going to spend thousands of dollars on a home theater system, that is only a small additional expense to your system. It is easy to use and most ladies of the house and non technical guys can use it with no problems.

Now stop looking at all those remotes and consolidate them into one universal remote!

Gregg Durham is the co-owner of Home Theater Concepts and specializes in sales and installation of mid to high-end custom audio/video systems. For additional questions or more information, you can contact Gregg at (936) 560-6942 or audioplustx@aol. com.

eastmensmagazine.com | 17

liFepoint/ are you a leader wortH following?

BY DONNIE GRIGG

n today’s culture, there are leaders and there are followers. Since the beginning of man, there have been those who prefer to lead and those who prefer to follow. But what makes a leader, a leader worth following?

Pastor Andy Stanley is a nationally known speaker, Pastor, not compromise those attributes to please anyone. In refusing to and author of many books, one of which is entitled, “The Next compromise, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gained moral Generation Leader -5 Essentials for those who will SHAPE the authority and inﬂuence with the king. Future.” In this book, he describes what it takes to be what When you do what’s right, one day you will look back and see he calls, “a leader worth following.” In several organizations what a defining moment it was for you as a leader and as an throughout the United States, many people have been placed individual. Let me ask you this question; What if you knew you into positions of overseeing others or have been given a title could break the rules, change the rules, or even ignore the rules of management, but they lack the skills to be a and get away with it? What if you knew “leader worth following.” Someone can there would never be any consequences Someone can lead without character, but character is what makes you a “leader worth following.” Your gifts, talents, and determination may indicate your potential, but it is your character that will determine your legacy. Integrity is not a must in being a leader, but if your intent is for those serving under you to respect you, then you must have integrity. Character is the will to do what’s right, even when you realize it’s hard. Character involves doing what’s right because it’s the right thing to do. When you choose to do what’s right at the risk of losing what is most precious to you, then you have become a “leader worth following.”

lead without character, but character is what makes you a “leader worth following.”

Integrity is not a must in being a leader, but if your intent is for those serving under you to respect you, then you must have integrity.

In the Bible, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were granted places of prominence in the empire. They held high esteem positions in their organization. They had their needs met, access to the King, and had everything in life going great for them. Until one day, they were presented with some information that the King had commanded that on this certain day and hour, when everyone heard the sound of the horn, they were to bow down to the ground and worship the King’s golden statue. Anyone who refused to bow down to his statue was to be placed in a fiery furnace. When the sound of the horn blew, everyone bowed to the statue, except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to bow to anyone in worship except God Almighty. This angered the King and his oﬃcials; so, they placed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace. The Bible records that not even a hair on their head was singed, nor was their clothing scorched. They did not even smell like smoke. God rescued these three men and because of this, the King accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. In this situation with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, compromise seemed to be the only available option, but these three stood there with their integrity and character, showing that they would

financially or physically? Then what would you do?

Scripture tells us in Proverbs 26:24-26 that “People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. Gentlemen, is there ANYTHING in your life that is happening privately that, if it became public, would disqualify you from being a leader worth following? At the end of my life, I realize that no one is really going to remember the sermons I preached and the stories that came out of me…BUT they will remember that I was faithful to my wife, that I loved my 3 children, that I honored God with my finances…and that I didn’t purposefully choose a sinful lifestyle privately that disqualified me from what God has called me to!

“Leaders worth Following” do the right thing because it is the right thing. Are you a Leader worth Following? A prayer worth praying: Lord, give me the wisdom to know what’s right, and the courage to do what’s right, even when it is hard! Amen… Be a leader worth following…

Donnie Grigg is the Executive Pastor at Harmony Hill Baptist Church. He is married to Amy, and they have three children: Titus, Anna, and Christian.

18 | EAST - August/September 2010

happeninGs/ tHe nac pac jaZZ trio

Cover for the Nac Pac Jazz Trio’s new CD, “Nac Pac”.

ulian Ornelas, Jr. was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas. His father taught him to play guitar at the age of 11. After an accident caused limited mobility in his fingers he was unable to play guitar, but the love of music kept him going. He took drum lessons from his experienced older cousin who took him on gigs around Southwest Kansas, letting JR sit in occasionally and eventually passed on the job to him. As a teenager he played with three different bands, a top 40 group, a Tejano band and a country band. He joined the big band, Musical Voyage, at the age of 16. This band, featuring a Broadway dancer and the lead singer of Doc Severinsen’s Tonight Show band, and based out of New York, toured significant showrooms across the USA, Canada and Panama. During this time, JR met a producer for K-Tel records who sold “As Seen On TV” compilation albums. He offered JR a studio position in Dallas. While there, JR played with several different groups in area clubs. During one of the K-Tel sessions, he met Sue Powell with the country music group, Dave and Sugar. Dave and Sugar was a new pop-country recording group with RCA Records. Sue convinced lead singer, Dave Rowland (formerly of the Stamps Quartet singing backup for Elvis Presley), to see JR perform at a club gig. Dave immediately offered JR the drum position in his band that he was putting together to go on tour opening for Kenny Rogers. This band toured about 260 days a year with Kenny’s “Coward Of The County” and “Gambler” tours which were one of the highest grossing concerts in the country. These tours also featured Dolly Partin, Dottie West, Kim Carnes and the comedian, Gallagher. An HBO Special was created from that concert. Dave and Sugar, with drummer, JR in tow, also appeared with Hank Williams, Jr., Conway Twitty, Earl Thomas Conley, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and other country legends. Television performances included Hee-Haw, Merv Griﬃn Show in Las Vegas, The Country Music Association Awards and Tammy Wynette Special. Another highlight was performing on the Luxembourg Radio Show. JR enjoyed performing with Dave and Sugar for 25 years. After Dave and Sugar stopped touring, JR worked for many other country music artists out of Nashville. The list includes Razzy Bailey, Johnny Rodriquez, Eddy Raven, David Frizzell and

by doug jaMes

he beat goes on for “JR” Ornelas and the Nac Pac Jazz Trio.

Tim McGraw. JR enjoyed branching out from country music with the Carolina beach music band Mardi Gras. They appeared with an oldies show that featured Little Eva, Major Lance, Dennis Yost, Sam The Sham, Lou Rawls and was hosted by Dick Clark. This band won the Cammy Award for Best New Group in 1996. While in Nashville, JR met Jill Muckleroy who was attending O’More School of Interior Design. They married in 1991 (soon to celebrate their 20th anniversary) on the beach in lovely Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. After tiring of the touring life, JR and Jill moved to her hometown, Nacogdoches. They started, AMBIANCE, a home furnishings store and interior design studio. After ten years, Jill fine-tuned this business into a personalized interior design studio providing residential and commercial services. JR and Jill also began a rental property management business, Home Sweet Home Properties. Never tiring of his love for music, JR J.R. and his wife, Jill began to explore the music scene in East Texas. He played for several groups in the area and began teaching drum lessons at Encore music. This finally gave him the opportunity to perform the musical genre that was always in his heart, jazz. He formed the group, the Nac Pac Jazz Trio and began live music on the patio at the Hotel Fredonia in 2004. “Jazz On The Patio” quickly became a booming phenomenon and provided the impetus for live music performance in East Texas. Today, the Nac Pac Jazz Trio continues to perform at the Hotel Fredonia and numerous other venues and private parties. After many fan requests, the group just released a CD “Nac Pac”. Please visit the following websites for more information. nacpacjazztrio.com ambiancenac.com

20 | EAST - August/September 2010

by Doug James doug.james@suddenlink.com

Newsworthy/pineywoods Purgatory

Pineywoods Purgatory

ineteen years ago, a group of cyclists started an event that today attracts over 700 riders. Pineywoods Purgatory began in memory of Garland Parise, a rider in Lufkin who passed away.

Today, Pineywoods Purgatory is one of the largest rides in Texas, especially for a community of our size. According to Rick Ainswork, “Pineywoods Purgatory attracts a lot of people from out of town. 90% of our riders come from outside Lufkin/Nacogdoches and people really love the ride. We get comments all time on how the Purgatory is such a great ride and the people are so friendly. One time I was wearing a Purgatory Tee shirt in San Antonio and this man came up to me and said it was the Purgatory is best ride in the state of Texas and by far away his favorite. We offer a variety of distances;

so, if you’re just starting out or just an occasional rider come out and challenge yourself to do the 25 mile course. After a few years, they can do the 50, 70 or

even 100 mile courses.”

October 2, 2010 hundreds of riders will take off from the Pitser Garrison Civic Center. It is important to have on your radar even if you are not involved in the race. Our community has to remember we have guests in our town with outside dollars coming into the community; hence our hometown hospitality can be at its best!

The Lufkin Hosts Lions Club are the current organizers of the event as well as many, many volunteers. Like most events The Lion’s Club sponsors, the event goes to a worthy cause. Pineywoods Purgatory benefits Stubblefield Learning Center, an alternative means to earn a high school diploma. The attraction to riders according to Ainsworth is the “very scenic ride with good roads for riding for the most part - The hills, all the friendly people who help with the ride, the post ride fajita lunch. Also Jeanelle McCall does the artwork for our tee shirts and posters and people say we have the best looking tee shirts of any event anywhere. We pride ourselves on that.” To get involved as a volunteer or register to ride. Visit www. pineywoodspurgatory.com. On the website you can either register on line or print out a form to mail in. The price of registration goes up $5 after September 1st. Also, there are registration forms at the Bike Shop in Nacogdoches and Pedalocity Bikes in Lufkin.

eastmensmagazine.com | 21

man caves/ terry wise

he Wise Man Cave is enjoyed by many outside their family. Terry Wise and his two boys, Devan and Dylan enjoy they getaway right in their own backyard. Thanks to Terry’s talented wife, Lisa, who has turned their man cave into a room with everything they love. According to Terry, “We built this shop years ago with the intention of always doing something like our man cave. Finally, last year we finished out the room.” The room is filled with a lot of memories and momentos of the family. Terry and his boys have raced cars for many years. Lisa created a wall of some of their favorite photos and trophies. The room itself is a 32x24 foot room. One corner has the Wise Theater for movie entertainment. Another corner has the pool table/ game area. The other portion of the man cave has a full kitchen. Terry says, “I am just glad to have a space where our family and our boys can enjoy along with our youth group and church family, lots of parties- Super Bowl parties, and UFC watching parties.”

22 | EAST - August/September 2010

cAR and driver/ Henry ford would be proud

by phil lehart

Reflections of Ford Fanatic Phil Lehart as said to Doug James.

grew up in Southern California in the 60’s and 70’s. Cruising and drag racing was a every weekend event. My brother was (and still is) a Pontiac enthusiast. He has owned several GTO’s and he is the one that got me interested in cars. He owns a machine shop in central Virginia and specializes in Pontiac race motors. He has built several motors for me including one in my nine second ’66 Mustang coupe. He is currently working on a 460 for my latest project – a ’64 F-100 pick up truck. My first car was a GM product. My second was a Dodge. My third car (while I was still in high school) was a ’65 Mustang GT. It was easy to see that there was something special about Mustangs. I have two sons – Russ (25) and Jesse (20) who both work for me at my t-shirt screen print business , Fredonia Graphics in Nacogdoches. I have one daughter – Kendall (18). Russ has owned several Mustangs and currently has a ’01 Mustang Bullitt and a ’03 Harley Davidson F-150 pickup truck. Jesse has a ’99 Mustang Cobra and a ’88 Mustang GT. Kendall has a ’04 Mustang and a ’75 Ford Maverick which she drove in her first powder puff drag racing competition in Tulsa in June of this year. I currently own a ’65 Mustang fastback with a 289 high performance engine and four speed transmission and a ’66 Mustang coupe drag car that I haul to the track with my ’99 Lightning F-150 pickup truck. My daily driver is a supercharged ’96 Cobra conv. We are members of The East Texas

Classics Car Club here in Nacogdoches and Mustangs of East Texas in Tyler. We have attended the 35th Anniversary Mustang celebration in Charlotte,NC., the 40th Anniversary in Nashville, Tn., and the 45th Anniversary in Birmingham, Al., and God willing we will be at the 50th Anniversary in April of 2014 wherever The Mustang Club of America decides to have it. Our favorite event by far is the Mid-America Ford and Shelby Nationals held every year in Tulsa, OK. It is a great opportunity to enjoy our cars on a road course and at the drag strip. We often attend cruise nights and a family day at the race track can’t be beat. We currently own seven Mustangs in our family. The car hobby can be very expensive but I’m very happy to share it with my kids. It is something we all have in common and it brings us much closer together. Several of our pets are named after Mustangs. I have a two year old female black lab named “Shelby”, Russ has a black lab puppy named “Bullitt”, and Jesse has a female pug named “Elleanor”, Kendall has a Pomeranian named “K.C.” (King Cobra). Doug James is local car enthusiast. He plans the Nacogdoches First Friday Cruise nights. (doug.james@suddenlink.com)

24 | EAST - August/September 2010

Phil Lehart

Phil’s son, Jesse

Phil’s son, Russ

Phil’s daughter, Kendall

on the greens/ crown colony golf course

ne of the best courses in Texas just got a little better. On May 18th, Crown Colony Golf Course was closed down.

That is when the initial two week process began of killing off the old grass. Golf Pro Ben Burns says, “The course opened in 1979 and it has been the same grass since then. There has been work on a green from time to time, but the entire course has never been resodded.” The Country Club staff decided now was the time. After the initial “Round Up” spray, the turf lawn company then came in and mowed down the grass to keep the dead grass out. Next they came in and sanded and retopped the dressing. This was really important part of the process, because in it ensured that there was not a sprig of the old grass left to come in, overtake, and kill the new grass. Burns said, “This process has been amazing to watch. After being in the business for over thirty years, this is some of the best, healthy grass there is!” Once the Champions team laid the sprigs, which according to Burns “is not as simple as it sounds.” He said it took approximately ten men to properly lay down the sprigs. It took the Champions Bermuda sprigs about two days to start growing. Then in another week, there was good grass cover on all 18 greens. Throughout the process, Crown Colony Greens Superintendent Stephen Tucker and his staff carefully nurtured the new greens to life. Fast forward to Friday, July 30th—Crown Colony celebrated with The Chamber of Commerce, its members, and the community the newly renovated greens. In August, many of Texas’ best amateurs will take their turn on the speedy new greens when the Temple Cup returns to Crown Colony.

eastmensmagazine.com | 25

Photographs by Jimmy Williams

ranch and rodeo/winston 8 rancH

f you have lived in the Lufkin Nacogdoches area for any amount of time, more than likely you have driven on Hwy 59 past Winston 8 Ranch. In a time where land is more and more scare-ranches are decreasing in number as well. Continued Pg. 30

eastmensmagazine.com | 27

ranch and rodeo/continued Winston 8 Ranch has been a staple to many in the community for over thirty years. It all began when the late John Winston’s father traveled on horseback to Texas from Virginia. One of the few personal items he had with him was his cattle brand. That cattle brand was the number 8 and that is where Winston 8 Ranch originated from. According to Virginia Winston, John’s wife, “it was the old fashioned, original style, “big” brand. Virginia Winston enjoys the view Mr. Winston eventually from her home on Winston 8 Ranch. settled in Moscow, Texas where he and his wife had twelve children. In 1929, during the depression, Mr. Winston moved his family to Lufkin. He came to work at Lufkin Foundries two days a week, which eventually turned into more. The family eventually settled and purchased land on 2021. That land is still owned by the Winston Family and dearly referred to as “grandpa’s place.” Mr. Winston’s 9th child, John Winston purchased 320 acres in 1970 on Hwy 59. John moved with his wife and four children: Randy, Dee, Simon, and LouAnn. They built their home at the

top of the hill on the 320 acre property. Today, Virginia still lives on the land that started out as a few hundred acres. Later, the Winston’s ended up owning a thousand total acres which now makes up the Winston Ranch. Not too long after the initial purchase of land, the boys began raising Red Brahman registered cows. The family would take them and show at different livestock shows, with Houston Livestock show being one their best. Just like any other business, the cattle industry is affected by the market and economy. Eventually, the cattle business went down. John Winston turned his focus into the construction business while one of his sons, Simon, continued raising cattle. He eventually switched over to Black Angus. To manage cattle-there is a true science to it all. From the type of grass the cows are fed, how many cows per acre, how many cows per bull, keeping up with their age and reproduction. Due to the attention to detail, Winston 8 Ranch is a name our community recognizes, but moreso one the cattle industry recognizes. One memory Mrs. Virginia Winston recalls was every Spring season at the ranch. “Every spring the ranch was covered with kids. Grandpa would line up school to give tours and the kids would be lined up wanting to see the cows.” That same welcoming spirit still exists. This October, Winston 8 Ranch will welcome hundreds of guest on the property for the first annual Pineywoods Cattle Baron’s Gala-Rhinestones and Ropers with special guest Chris Cagle. For more information www.pineywoodscattlebaronsgala.org

28 | EAST - August/September 2010

trophy room/trophy hunts

Melvin Linton Jr., 16 yr old black bear, May 17, 2010, west of La Ronge in the Thunder Hills of Northern Saskatchawan.

Dale and Kitty Bounds

A nice catch of White Perch from Toledo Bend

David West

11 Point buck with a bow, North Dakota, public land, September 2009

Gage Cullen and Gene Sullivan with Cullen’s 2010 Nacogdoches County gobbler.

The Pineywoods NWTF Chapters JAKES member Gage Cullen with his trophy buck which scored 141.5 and his 1st.

Gene Sullivan and his brother, Glen Sullivan with their gobblers.

Matt Taylor

East Texas Eastern, 21 lbs, 10.75” Beard, 1.25” Spurs

Kenny Ewings

Merriam’s Turkey in South Dakota

Sandy Linton, cinnamon phase black bear, May 20, 2010, west of La Ronge in the Thunder Hills of Northern Saskatchewan. 30 | EAST - August/September 2010

Email us your Trophy Room Photos to editor@eastmensmagazine.com. Deadline for the October issue is September 10, 2010. If you miss the deadline for the next issue, photos will be used the following month.

eastmensmagazine.com | 31

swap shop Land for Sale - Hunting Property Plenty of Deer, Ducks, & Hogs! $1550 per acre 936.635.2023

2003 Champion 206 Elite boat with 2003 Mercury 250XS motor. 2 Lowrance GPS/Sonar units, Lifetime warranty Gorilla Hull, 3 Optima gel cell batteries, Champion boat/motor cover, low hours. $23,500 936.366.1926 jb@aaathletics.net

2007 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab Lone Star 5.7 Hemi 20â&#x20AC;? Wheels 9000 miles $18900.00 936.676.5474

2005 National Seabreeze 35 FT. Motorhome Ford V-10 2 slider 3 Awnings 2 A/C, 2 TV, CD, DVD,VCR. Microwave, Convection Oven, booth, couch sleeper. 5500 miles. Onan Generator. $55,000 936.676.5474

To find out more about the Swap Shop pages or how to showcase your item for sale, email editor@ eastensmagazine.com or call 936.635.7369. Deadline for the next issue is September 1, 2010.

32 | EAST - August/September 2010