Contents
October/November 2010
the sportsman
6
hunting report
9
Deuce Wulf Pine Island
skills and techniques
11
in the field
13
newsworthy
14
fishing report
17
men’s health
18
sports center
21
the next level
23
high-tech
26
unsung hero
27
car and driver
28
outdoor excursions
31
business
32
swap shop
33
why i love east texas
34
trophy hunts
36
Reloading
Pinned Down
Hiking the John Muir Trail
Lung Cancer
Games for 2010
The Phillips Brothers iPad
Mr. Garner
First Friday Cruise Night Red Wood Forest Auto Image
Dale Bounds
Photo by Joe Lowery 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 Daryl Sparks Graphic Designer Jennifer Williams Copy Editor
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
Cover photo by Joe Lowery
advertisement information east po box 150537 lufkin, tx 75915 936-635-7369 editor@eastmensmagazine.com
The Sportsman/ Deuce wulf
W
ulf is a name that many recognize with the outdoors because of Wulf Outdoor Sports. Once the idea of Wulf Outdoors Sports was brought to fruition, there was no doubt about who would run the business. Fredrick Wulf II, better known as Deuce, runs Wulf Outdoor Sports. The family grew up in Center. Deuce graduated from Center High School and went on to Notre Dame to receive a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2000. Deuce married Kim Cook and together they have one daughter, Hudsyn Rose, with another baby on the way. He later went on to receive his MBA from SFA in 2008. “Growing up, my father used to take my brother and me fishing in small pondsfor bream. I believe my first true hunting trip was to Cherokee, TX. My family was on a lease with 9 other families for about 10 years. That was a great place to grow up hunting,” says Deuce. Looking back he laughs. “When I was in high school I was pretty sure that I would love to hunt for a living. Through college, I was pretty sure that I didn’t have a financial plan that would allow for that to happen”, said Wulf.
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Today, his great passions are hunting and fishing. “I enjoy hunting the most. But fishing is gaining ground!” The reason he was a good fit to run Wulf Outdoor Sports was because he knows the products, he knows the skills involved, and can truly help customers with first hand experience. Deuce has been on hunts of all kinds. “My best hunt was probably the Gemsbuck (oryx) that I got to hunt for on the White Sands Missile Range in NM,” he says. What is the best fishing hole in East Texas? According to Wulf, it would have to be Toledo Bend. Currently, his favorite spot to fish is Lake Calcasieu for speckled trout and redfish.
“My passion for the outdoors is probably the biggest reason that my family, partners and I are in the Outdoor Sports business.” “My passion for the outdoors is probably the biggest reason that my family, partners and I are in the Outdoor Sports business. Retail is stressful 6 | EAST - October/November 2010
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The Sportsman/ continued and time consuming, but it is more than offset by being able to work in the industry that is essentially my favorite past time. It has its perks. It’s tough to put a value on being able to help bring the same enjoyment of the outdoors to our customers. It is a good thing,” explained Wulf. Being an avid hunter like Wulf with access to so many products and gadgets, one has to wonder what his favorites are. “I don’t have a favorite item, but for a big game hunter, I think that a good pair of binoculars is more valuable than the finest rifle and scope. In most situations, you will spend much more time waiting, watching and glassing then you will actually shooting. And my all around favorite fishing bait (for black bass) is the 5” Senko by Gary Yamamoto”.
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“The most difficult/important thing for hunters (deer) is that we need to continue to let the younger deer walk.”
Pictures: 1. Deuce and buddies with turkey 2. Sika Deer 3. Fishing in Boca Grande 4. Deer 5. Wyoming Turkey hunt 6. Antelope 7. Oryx
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The best gadgets and products would be useless without concern for the land in East Texas. “We are very fortunate to have such great fisheries and such great deer hunting. The most difficult/ important thing for hunters (deer) is that we need to continue to let the younger deer walk,” states Wulf. He continues, “When I was growing up in the late 80’s, it was a big deal to see a deer around here. We would go to school and talk about it. I believe there are still many hunters out there that still haven’t adjusted to the fact that there are a lot of deer out there now, and still feel compelled to shoot the first legal (hopefully) buck that they see. Most of East Texas is broken up into relatively small parcels of land and the fear often exists that, ‘if I don’t shoot that deer, then I’m sure my neighbor will.’ There are a lot of great deer here, and our thick forest habitat certainly plays its role in keeping them well hidden. While I risk sounding like a salesman, I would encourage hunters to get a game camera and place it in view of a corn pile and monitor what bucks are in the area. If you keep the corn out, then you’ll eventually get an image of most of the deer in that area...then you’ll have a better idea and a reasonable expectation about what you could harvest that year.” Deuce Wulf and Wulf Outdoor Sports is proud to be a native East Texan. Their experiences go hand in hand. eastmensmagazine.com | 7
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hunting REPORT/ Wheelin’ Sportsmen Event
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he opening day of any hunting season is permanently etched into the brains of many hunters around Texas. For some, hunting seasons come and go. Those who have a disability are unable to enjoy our East Texas woods like so many others do. Thanks to the Texas Parks and Wildlife, United States Forest Service, and the PIneywoods and Nacogdoches chapters of the NWTF, this group of men and women can now look forward to hunting season. On December 10 and 11th, these four organizations and over one hundred volunteers will host the second annual Wheelin’ Sportman Event.
Last year, hunters came from as far as South Carolina. They were not only hunters from Lufkin and Nacogdoches--many came from all around Texas and beyond.
On December 10th and 11th, the Texas Parks and Wildlife, USFS, the Lufkin and Nacogdoches chapters of the NWTF and over one hundred volunteers will host the second annual Wheelin’ Sportman Event. According to Jason Engle, “Eddie Taylor, who also works with the USFS, had something similar to this where he was from. There wasn’t anything like this in the state of Texas. So, the two of us decided to partner with a few organizations and get something together. We didn’t know what it would turn into or how it would even turn out.” The two contacted the Winstons to see about using the tree farm along with the National Forest land next to it to offer as the hunting grounds. “This year we are excited to add on the Alazan Wildlife Management Area which is right next to the other two pieces of land,” said Engle.
The physically disabled hunters still enjoy the outdoors and the sport of hunting, but due to their physical limitations, hunting is either impossible or too much to try to take on by themselves. Volunteers are able to drive them to the deer stands and blinds. However many volunteers it takes to help get them in the stand, they have the help there. Engle said there were many hunters there with prosthetic legs, canes, and about a third were in wheel chairs. Another huge benefit on these two days is the use of a vehicle. There is a new law that no ATV’s are allowed on Forest Service land . But, because they are USFS vehicles, USFS workers can transport those that need direct transportation to the stand by their company vehicle. This year, there will be five additional wheelchair accessible stands. “This will be great for our wheelchair hunters. The stands are large and very comfortable for their wheelchair, complete with a wheelchair accessible ramp,” says Jason Engle. One attendee last year was Gary Fannon. He is the pastor at First Baptist Diboll. He used to be an avid hunter. In 2008, while trying to climb a tree, he fell and nearly died. Since then, he has not been able to enjoy the sport he loves. Last year he was able to enjoy one of his passions again.
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Continued Pg 10
hunting REPORT/ Continued “Speaking as a volunteer, it is very satisfying knowing you played a part in helping these hunters get into the field and experience the hunt again. We had over a hundred volunteers help with the first hunt last year, and I am sure these volunteers felt the same way,” said Dale Bounds. Anyone with a physical disability is invited to apply for a two-day deer and hog hunt. Last year’s hunt was a huge success. Fifteen disabled hunters participated and seven deer, including a nice 6 point and 8 point buck, were harvested. Over 100 NWTF, US Forest Service, and TPWD volunteers helped stage the 2009 Wheelin’ Sportsman hunt. The Winston family joined forces and allowed the disabled hunters to use their property. Everyone involved left with a big smile knowing they had brightened someone’s life.
Applications may be obtained online (www.fs.fed.us/r8/ texas) or at any U.S. Forest Service office in Texas. Twenty participants will be drawn for the event. Volunteers and expert instructors will be on hand to assist. There is no cost to attend and meals will be provided to participants and guests. For more information about this event, please visit our website (www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas) or call (936) 897-1068 or (936) 639-8501. For more information about the National Wild Turkey Federation visit the Web site at www.nwtf.org.
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skills and techniques/getting started in reloading
by Casey evans
Reloading is a rewarding hobby that could save you hundreds of dollars in ammunition cost depending on your shooting habits.
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ontrary to all popular belief, reloading is not rocket science. It is a rewarding hobby that could save you hundreds of dollars in ammunition cost, depending on your shooting habits. You have to look at reloading in a different light. You cannot compare your reloads to any of the base rifle ammunition brands unless you load components that match those brands exactly. You in fact are loading premium ammo. You need to take your time to make sure your powder charges are exactly the same. You need to make sure your cases are the same length and bullets are seated to the same length. It’s basically the same steps that go into making premium ammo. I can tell you from personal experience that the rewards are huge. When you take that old rifle that’s been shooting marginal groups and tailor your loads to make it into the tack driver you have always dreamed of having, the feeling is very satisfying. When you take that 1st buck since you started reloading, you get a sense of accomplishment that you will never have with factory ammo. In a sense, it personalizes your hunt. So now let’s get started. Here are the base equipment and component requirements that you needed to get started: A reloading press kit (usually contains most everything you need to get started) Die sets for each caliber you want to load A shell holder for the caliber. Some cover several calibers. Casings (brass). If you’re like many folks, you have saved your brass just in case you ever wanted to reload Projectiles (bullets) Powder
Primers Case lube (Go with Hornady One shot--you won’t regret it!) A good reloading manual. Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, and Sierra are all good choices Another item you will need is a way to polish your brass, and a vibratory cleaner works the best. You also will eventually need a case trimmer and a few other tools for various issues that can arise. Cost can vary depending on what brand of equipment you decide to go with. Lee equipment is entry level, and RCBS and Hornady are the most popular. Lee kits run around $100-$145, RCBS and Hornady Kits typically run around $350. To get started, your initial cost to actually make ammo will be from $200 to $500. You must remember that the better equipment can last you a lifetime. My personal equipment is over 20 years old and still pumping out rifle cartridges. You typically can load your cartridges for 1/3 the cost of an equivalent box of factory ammo. Premium ammo runs from $40 and up for 20 rounds, so it doesn’t take long to justify the cost of getting started making your own. Making your ammo more affordable can get you on the range more. More shooting makes you a better shot… you get the point. If your interest is sparked by all of this, drop by Evans Brothers Guns and ask any questions you may have. We have years of reloading experience and we have many reloaders that come out and discuss our hobby. Remember, advice is free and we have gone through the trials and errors. We can help make your new hobby much easier to get started! Check out the reloading section on our website for cost comparisons. You can find this on www.evansguns.com.
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in the field/pinned down
by dale bounds
excited and loud trying to get us to move. All of a sudden turkeys began flying up around us about 40 yards out. They lit in a big pine tree out front in plain view. The big hen closest to us limb hopped several times to get a better view of us. Then, they got silent. Ronnie and I were stunned and pinned down. Then knew we were there. We could not move from our awkward position. We had to just sit and wait.
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ld turkey hunting friends Luke Lewis and Gene T. Miller joined me and my nephew Ronnie Mayeaux for a few days of turkey hunting and story telling in the deep woods of Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest. We set up camp at the Lazione cabin, on the historic site where the Lazione family homesteaded in the early 1800’s. Many memories and tales were spun around the campfire during the next three days. Mr. Lazione told us how his grandfather ranged hogs and cattle in the open woods around the Lazione homesite. His grandfather sold the cattle and hogs to the lumber camps in central Louisiana to feed the loggers. He told us about the many successful hunts he had over the last 40 years since turkeys had been restored to the Kisatchie, about harvesting a majestic Tom with 2” spurs…boy, he got us pumped. The weather was a factor, as everything from spitting snow to heavy rain was in store for us. We heard birds gobbling on the roost on the first clear morning, but they gave us the slip in favor of the real thing….plenty of excitement, but no turkey in the bag this trip. It was an experience for Ronnie and myself that I will never forget… a turkey calling seminar in the woods! Ronnie and I stood on a dim forest road in the dark listening for a gobbling turkey to sound his location. About 10 minutes before light, turkeys started sounding off up and down the road. It sounded like five or six different birds. We picked one closest to us and moved that way. As we were closing the distance moving through a tight pine plantation in the dark, hearing him gobble had my heart racing! That is the most fun part of turkey hunting for me.
After what seemed like 20 minutes, the old hen started making turkey sounds, everything you try to do with your box call. Purrs, tree yelps, loud clucks, and very loud cutting. She was trying to get a response from the two things on the ground in front of her she could clearly see. What a show we had--a priceless turkey calling seminar! When she would make her cut sounds, a gobbler in the distance would respond. Man, I thought…any minute a big Tom will show himself.
The old hen started making turkey sounds, everything you try to do with your box call. Purrs, tree yelps, loud clucks, and very loud cutting. What a show we had, a priceless turkey calling seminar! Pinned down, hurting from the position where we were located, we absorbed all the sights and sounds around us. I thanked the Lord for letting me be there. Being a part of something I had never experienced in my turkey hunting days, the hens continued their show with the other two joining in, trying their best to identify us. This went on for over an hour. Suddenly, out about 70 yards I saw a big turkey fly out of a tall pine tree, away from us. Then another one glided out of the same area. We did not even know these turkeys were there. Could these two turkeys be the gobblers Ronnie and I heard before daylight? We will never know, and that is the fun of turkey hunting. A few minutes later, the hens flew off following the others. We looked at each other, glad we could finally move and sad the show was over. What a learning experience and an exciting time! That is why we turkey hunt. It’s not all about killing. For me, it’s about creating memories in God’s great outdoors.
We cleared the thick pine plantation and emerged in a tight pine hardwood flat about first light. We dared not try to go any further, picked a huge White Oak tree and set up. The gobbler had quit gobbling and we did not want to bust him. We listened for a while; made some soft calls…and nothing happened. Out of nowhere, the dark shape of a hen turkey appeared about 40 yards from our position. My heart was racing. “It’s fixing to happen,” I thought to myself. The hen started a loud clucking, moving to her left then her right. I caught a glimpse of other turkeys behind her. Ronnie and I were ready, guns on our knee, waiting for the gobbler. It was obvious to me that the hen had spotted us, but she didn’t know what we were. The hen really got
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Newsworthy/hiking the john muir trail
by lukas truckenbrod, photography by Sean Dupre
Hiking the John Muir Trail is an epic experience filled with adventure and self exploration. The peace and challenges of nature offer a unique setting for paths to cross and experiences to be shared, which brought about this article.
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iking the John Muir Trail is an epic experience filled with adventure and self exploration. The peace and challenges of nature offer a unique setting for paths to cross and experiences to be shared, which brought about this article. Words by Lukas Truckenbrod, photography by Sean Dupre’. Six in the morning at 10,000 feet. Fading sunrise-oranges and dawn-reds linger in the morning blue skies—a gentle wakeup call. I mosey out of the tent to see my two companions, Jack and Evan, already starting breakfast-- two packets of Quaker Instant Oatmeal, followed by a Snickers bar. The morning routine changes little from day to day on the 211 mile trek known as the John Muir Trail. John Muir was a Scottish-born immigrant who came to the United States with his family in the middle of the 19th century and settled in Milwaukee. At twenty-nine, on September 2, 1867, Muir set off from Jefferson, Indiana taking those seminal first steps of a thousand-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico. He soon fell in love with the Sierra Mountains in Northern California and will forever be known as the founder and first president of the Sierra Club.
581,000 acres of land that extend through the Inyo and Sierra National Forests, boasting fifty-seven mountain peaks over 13,000 feet, the southernmost glacier in the United States, and the largest contiguous area above 10,000 feet in the lower 48. Although day five started the same as the previous four, my two friends and I were in for a learning session as we made our way to our resupply, Red’s Meadow, a mountain resort whose “staff, horses and mules wish to give you the experience of a lifetime!” The resort landed on the map in 1972 after Ronald Reagan, then governor of California, set off from Red’s Meadow with a hundred packhorses and decided that the Trans-Sierra Highway must not be built. If it had, it would have cut directly across the John Muir Trail and bisected the longest stretch of wilderness area in the continental United States. Reagan got it. He saw the natural beauty and rugged pride of naturalists who claim the John Muir Trail to be the most beautiful 211 miles in North America, if not the world.
My California was a bit different from Mr. Reagan’s however, though I’m sure we could have spent hours discussing the intricacies of the Redwood bark or the incessant Indy Car-buzz of an approaching mosquito cloud. But the After unzipping the sleeping bag, zipping awe of the wilderness is expected. Take up my pants, unzipping the tent, and then a look at Sean Dupre’s photographs on re-zipping the tent for the fifth morning these pages, a fellow I met after arriving of our John Muir Trail adventure, I began in Red’s Meadow. Campsites are available to understand the grave importance for twenty bucks, but we “buddied up” with and power of the zipper. The zipper is this cordial Texan named Sean so as to cut my boundary between warmth and the down the fee. After refusing any kind of immense wilderness that surrounds me payment from us, we managed to force a in every direction for thousands of acres. few dollars into Sean’s hand—“I’ll probably Literally. The John Muir Wilderness is the just buy a cold one,” he replied. first designated wilderness area we entered Backpacking is an interesting dichotomy of along the John Muir Trail. It contains over action and idle time. For the great majority 14 | EAST - October/November 2010
of daylight, one spends their time walking. One foot in front of the other, repeated ad infinitum. Once six o’clock rolls around, however, camp is set up, dinner is cooked and the moving ceases. The question then becomes, “Now what do I do?” The answer at Red’s Meadow was to talk. We sat at camp across from Sean and we talked. The John Muir trail is a very popular 211 mile stretch for backpackers, but spread those hikers out to all 211 miles and chances are you won’t see more than five people walk past. Thus, we were excited to see some new faces other than each other’s, and we were eager to discuss gear, the infamous hailstorm, fantastic vistas, and (as we learned would become a so very timeconsuming conversation) food. But what I learned as we sat there talking to Sean and then seeing him other times along the trail, is that one of the most rewarding aspects of backpacking is meeting fellow hikers. Being only a twenty-year-old college student, I was pleasantly surprised with my ability to converse with any and all hikers. On the trail, it doesn’t matter who you are back home. Even lawyers are accepted with open arms. On the trail, everyone is a hiker. Sean, a professional photographer and teacher with a wife and children, would earnestly discuss the inner-workings of his creative urges as a photographer who felt worn with weekends filled with weddings. He hungered for an opportunity to explore his talent and passion for landscapes. Further, he listened with earnest interest as I paraphrased the running dialogue that played out in my head as I contemplated different paths following my graduation in the spring. So there we were, Sean and I, two backpackers separated by a generation, but connected by our fanatical rambling like romantic artists surrounded by some of the most creatively inspiring landscapes in the world. Finding me at camp one
night, Sean would mention the challenge of photographing the iconic landscapes of Ansel Adams, and would bounce progressive and experimental ideas off of me. I would catch up to him on the trail days later and detail a thought on a collaborative mixed media project between the two of us. We earnestly offered open ears. This generosity of spirit became the theme of the journey. Oftentimes, I came to a creek crossing and was greeted by a fellow hiker who lent me his hiking pole to more safely gain passage. Or when I learned that I would be a day short on food, a hiker named Dave gave me some extra food of his. Or as I passed a man whose gnarly beard recalled images of John Muir himself and I asked, “How’s it going?” and he replied, “ Oh, you know… another day in paradise!” We, meaning all of us backpackers, became overfilled with the generosity of nature that never fails at providing tear-inducing images, and began to give the generosity back. Looking at the landscape, it makes sense that nature serves as a great equalizer. The land stretches and compresses; the trees twist and offer guidance; the sun gives life and burns down. The hiker realizes there are things larger and more powerful. A pleasant stroll through mountain meadows will turn into a lactic acid storm of 2000foot switchbacks. Great redwoods that have stood for fifty generations are mirrored by fallen and decaying trunks returning to the soil. In a flash, immense heat and sun will give way to violent hailstorms and thunder that echoes through the mountains and through your chest. The land is mighty and reminds us what is truly important. We may be a big deal, but the land we trample every day has been there every day before us, and will be there every day after. To see more images, visit: http://www. duprephotography.com/JMT/index.htm eastmensmagazine.com | 15
fishing report/for the fun of it all
by doug james
To paraphrase a deceased patriot, “I regret that I have but one life to give to my bass fishing.”
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o said Ron Jones, president of the Nacogdoches Bass Club and custom fishing rod builder. He says that a fishing trip is still like a child’s Christmas morning to him, filled with wonder and excitement. Ron moved to Nacogdoches three years ago with his wife, Eileen, and immediately started looking for a bass fishing club to join. He initially joined a small club near Lake Sam Rayburn, but it really didn’t offer the fellowship and learning environment that is so important in a club. Ron attended a meeting hosted by the Texas B.A.S.S (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) Federation Nation which is a nationwide portion of B.A.S.S. The Texas Federation nation was seeking to start a club in the Nacogdoches/Lufkin area and Ron immediately began a search for fellow bass fishermen with interests in starting such a club. Within one month, ten anglers came together as charter members of the Nacogdoches Bass Club. Now in it’s second year, the club continues to grow and be an
integral part of the 14 clubs that make up the Southeast Region of the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. Membership in the club is open to those who love the sport of bass fishing and conservation of our environment. In order to become a member of the Nacogdoches Bass club one must: 1. Be at least 16 years of age 2. Be an active member of B.A.S.S. 3. Be recommended by two active members of the club. We ask that you come to one of our meetings and fish a monthly club tournament with us prior to a membership vote. 4. Receive a 100% affirmative vote of the club membership. If you are interested in joining the club, the monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at Mike’s Barbecue on South Street in Nacogdoches. Meetings
begin at 6:30 p.m. Club members pay annual dues of $25. Membership in the B.A.S.S. Federation is mandatory with dues of $50 year. The club fishes six Federation tournaments per year. These tournaments are held during February through June with two tournaments in February and one tournament each during the months of March through June. In 2011, the lakes that the Southeast Region will fish include Conroe, Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Somerville, Livingston, and Richland Chambers. Cost to register for each of these Federation tournaments is approximately $65. Of special note is the fact that the weekend angler can advance through the Federation events all the way to the Bassmaster Classic, the World Championship of bass fishing. The club also fishes 12 monthly tournaments during the year. Cost to fish these tournaments is $25 per tournament. A web site for the club is currently under construction and can be viewed at nacogdochesbassclub.com.
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.”
R “Fish hard, Fish often, Have Fun, Preserve the resource.”
on retired from the USAF in 1991 after 28 years and began a public school teaching career which lasted for 9 years. For the past 10 years, he has been building and selling custom fishing rods. He builds an average of 50-75 rods per years for friends and people as far away as Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Ohio, and Missouri. In building his rods, Ron uses only the finest components and does every step of the work himself; there is no work contracted out. Each rod is made to a specific set of requirements and is designed to meet the exact needs of an angler. High modulus graphite blanks, “braid proof” guides, custom color wraps, and premium cork handles are part of each rod
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that Ron builds. His main supplier is Batson Enterprises, located in Washington state. To view the components used in these custom rods, visit batsonenterprises.com. The rods come with a limited, lifetime warranty from the blank manufacturer and range in price from $125-250 with most costing between $150-175. Anglers ordering a rod can expect a 2-3 week wait, except during the Christmas season. A special note to those with a spouse who has the “fishing fever“; a custom fishing rod makes a wonderful gift! For information about the Nacogdoches Bass Club or Ron Jones Custom Fishing Rods, please call Ron at 936-615-6316 or e-mail him at talon_one@sbcglobal.net.
men’s health/Clearing the air about lung cancer
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ancer. There. I said it. Out loud. The dreaded “C” word sparks fear in our hearts. It always seems so unfair, especially when it strikes someone young. Most people think of cancer as one disease, when, if fact, it is hundreds of different diseases. And these different types of cancer (such as breast or prostate or lung) are often wildly different in why they show up, how they are treated, and most importantly of all, how successfully they can be treated. We focus a lot today on breast cancer (which is the most common cancer in women) or prostate cancer (the most common cancer in men). Overall, we cure the majority of cancers today. But did you know that the number one cause of cancer death in both men and women is lung cancer? The American Cancer Society predicted there would be 116,090 new cases of lung cancer in men and 103,350 new cases of lung cancer in women in 2009. Unfortunately, only 15% of those who get lung cancer are expected to be cured. The rest will be dead within 5 years (and most of those within a year or two). Why is that? Let’s first go back to the successes of breast and prostate cancer, both of which are curable 90% of the time… if caught early. That’s the key: we can catch breast and prostate cancer early with screening mammograms for women and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests for men. We simply do not have a screening test for lung cancer. Oh, there is the rare story you may hear of someone whose lung cancer was found accidentally on a chest x-ray. But those are the accidental successes, and studies have shown that chest x-rays just aren’t really a good way to screen a population of people. This is unfortunate, to say the least. By the time you find a lung cancer, it is usually not operable. Only about one in three lung cancers is even considered potentially removable. Of those, only about a third actually are taken for surgery, often because of underlying health problems. In other words, the same smoking that caused the cancer has also
by sidney C. Roberts, md, FACR
The number one cause of cancer death in both men and women is lung cancer. caused other heart and lung problems to the point that the risks of surgery are too high. Since surgery is not an option for most lung cancers, the majority of patients with lung cancer are treated with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. There are different types of lung cancer – even lung cancer is not just one disease – and the way in which chemotherapy and radiation therapy is administered can be different between patients. A discussion of details about radiation therapy or chemotherapy is beyond the scope of this article. For answers to these questions, I recommend the American Cancer Society’s website www.cancer.org or, for radiation therapy information, www.angelinaradiation.com. Probably the biggest difference between lung cancer and many other cancers is not in how they are treated or even in how curable they are or are not. This difference precedes diagnosis and treatment. This difference goes to the core of our fear: whether we even get cancer in this first place. And I think with all the information we have today, this difference will come as no surprise, either: we can prevent most lung cancers! Again, you hear the occasional story of someone who never smoked who comes down with lung cancer. It does happen… but not very often. Yes, many people who smoke never come down with lung cancer. (Just like the majority who play Russian roulette don’t die, either. Somehow, that isn’t very comforting.)
Angelina County We have a registry at Memorial Health System of East Texas where we keep track of all cancer patients diagnosed and/or treated here. We have kept these records for twenty years now. We decided to look at our lung cancer patients and whether or not they ever smoked, and 98% did. We did this because people often ask 18 | EAST - October/November 2010
about all the industries around, and aren’t they causing cancer. It is difficult to blame someone else when the answer is literally staring you in the face. Nobody doubts today that smoking causes cancer; it is an indisputable fact.
Within the state of Texas, East Texas has some of the lowest ranked counties in health outcomes and health factors. In this chart of Texas from http://www. countyhealthrankings.org/texas, the darker green counties have the worst health outcomes. When just the Deep East Texas region is evaluated, it is quickly apparent that the state’s lowest ranking counties are, for the most part, neighboring Angelina County. In fact, Angelina County ranks 213 out of 221 counties in health behaviors, which includes adult smoking (http://
men’s health/Cont. www.countyhealthrankings.org/texas/ angelina). Twenty six percent of the adult population of Angelina County smoke. (See table below) Our poor health is, for the most part, due to our own behavior. And it costs us dearly. The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that adult residents of Angelina County from 20052008 received $208,752,669 in charges for hospitalizations that were potentially preventable (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/ legislative/prevent-angelina042210.pdf). Most of the illnesses they mention are smoking-related.
GO SMOKE FREE! What can we as a community do? First and foremost, we need strong smoke-free ordinances. We have formed a coalition called Smoke-Free Lufkin to begin working on this goal and have garnered significant community support already. With a down economy, healthcare reform in the wings, and the health and wellbeing of our community at stake, we simply must get a handle on smoking. This is not just because of lung cancer! Smoking also leads to heart disease, which kills more people than lung cancer every year. Overall, American, Canadian, and European cities that have implemented smoking bans had an average of 17
MORBIDITY Poor or fair health HEALTH BEHAVIORS Adult smoking Binge drinking SOCIAL/ECONOMIC FACTORS High school graduation College degrees Children in poverty
percent fewer heart attacks in the first year, compared with communities who had not taken such measures. Then, each year after implementing smoking bans (at least for the first three years, the longest period studied), smoke-free communities have an average 26 percent decline in heart attacks, compared with those areas that still allow smokers to light up in public places. Numerous studies of objective data, including sales tax receipts, show that going smoke-free does not adversely impact the hospitality industry; in fact, these businesses ultimately save money on health care costs, insurance, cleaning and other indirect costs of secondhand smoke. What about tourism? Smoke-free laws were associated with increased hotel revenues in Los Angeles; New York City; Mesa, Arizona; and the state of Utah. California and New York tourism increased after the enactment of smokefree policies. The potential impact of a successful campaign also has health and healthcare cost implications not only for our city and county, but also – if this can lead to statewide smoking legislation – for the state of Texas as a whole. The good news in the fight against cancer is that the most common cause of cancer death is also the most preventable! Do you fear cancer? Follow the American Cancer Society’s guidelines for screening
Angelina County
Target Value
25%
12%
20%
26% 12%
13% 7%
20% 16%
80% 15% 32%
87% 23% 16%
73% 23% 23%
Table: Health Statistics - Angelina County vs. Texas eastmensmagazine.com | 19
Texas
(www.cancer.org). Women, get your mammograms and Pap smears. Men, get your PSA blood tests. Don’t forget your screening colonoscopies when you turn 50. (Mine is just around the corner!) Don’t use tanning beds. Know yourself, your family history, and your risks. Finally, for yourself and for your community, if you smoke, quit! If you don’t smoke, don’t start! Let’s all go smoke-free!
A native of West Texas and a cum laude graduate of Rice University, Dr. Roberts graduated from the Baylor College of Medicine in 1987. Following his internship and residency, also with the Baylor College of Medicine, he briefly returned to West Texas before joining the staff of the Arthur Temple, Sr. Regional Cancer Center in Lufkin in 1992. Five years later he became the Center’s Medical Director. Dr. Roberts also has directed the radiation therapy program of the Laird Cancer Center at Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches since 1994.
Rank (of 221) 169 *213!*
162
sports center/ by j.p. heath
T
he 2010 football scene across East Texas will deliver as always. Somewhere, fans will claim that the backup QB is clearly the better option, despite the fact their playing experience doesn’t extend past junior high. Also, one team will inevitably surprise us; and to the same end, another disappoints us. Finally, and this is the best and most cherished part of the fall: pads will pop and stories will be told.
SFA Lumberjacks
A team that is sure not to disappoint us is the , although they did end 2009 with a whimper – ten (!) turnovers against top-ranked Montana. That still didn’t outshine a 10-3 season and a playoff victory over Eastern Washington-- the school’s first post season win since 1995. It’s no secret that Jeremy Moses makes the offense tick. After shattering the ‘Jacks career passing yards with still a year to spare, the marksman has his eye on breaking all of the individual Southland Conference records. East Texans litter the roster of course, but none hits harder than Jabarra Williams, the pride of Garrison who is considered to be in the conversation for best defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
KEY GAME: 10/23 vs Sam Houston State (@ Reliant Stadium) JP’s PREDICTION: 11-3, SFA’s best season since 1995.
LUFKIN In the high school ranks, much is the same. Depth and talent will rule. Lufkin has the talent, but each coach I’ve talked to said that depth is a concern for the first part of the season. Injuries to Darrell Kelly-Thomas (Arkansas commit) the last two seasons and a preseason injury to Blade Wise-Perry are cause for concern on the d-line, plus the secondary has to replace Carrington Byndom, now at UT. Deauntre Smiley and Jamarcus Walker will pace the air and ground attack, respectively, and TCU-bound Jamarcus Walker at safety will pace this Lufkin team.
KEY GAME: Lufkin @ The Woodlands, 10/8 JP’s PREDICTION: 10-3, Panthers get to third round for
the first time since 2005.
eastmensmagazine.com | 21
sports center/ continued NACOGDOCHES
The Dragons continue to look for that breakout season. Class act Bill Harper had the Gold & Black pointed in the right direction with a playoff season in 2008, but he retired after just three wins in 2009. Now it’s Scott Ford’s turn to solve the riddle, “Why can’t Nacogdoches ever win?” Well, he’ll at least have a great core. Ford hails from Class 5A Los Fresnos, where he averaged about nine wins a year from 2003-09. By all reports, his defensive line could be the best in the area. Jacob Howard needs to find his mojo.
KEY GAME: 10/15 vs. Marshall JP’s PREDICTION: 4-6, Dragons miss out on playoffs in Ford’s first year, but are on the right track.
DIBOLL The easiest prediction out there is that the Lumberjacks playoff hopes swing on one game: Oct. 15th in the awkward district opener against Center. Diboll is a much bigger team this year on the interior, which pleases ’09 Newcomer of the Year Terrance Taylor. I will always love the ‘Jacks, but they need to stop people to contend.
KEY GAME: 10/15 vs. Center JP’s PREDICITION: 4-6, Diboll misses out on post season with narrow loss to Center.
J.P. Heath has worked around the East Texas sports scene since 2002. He currently broadcasts football and basketball games for Texas A&M-Commerce and baseball for Rice University. 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.
22 | EAST - October/November 2010
the next level/ David and Dane Phillips
B
rothers Dane and David Phillips share a common interest: baseball. And while they lived under the same roof for about 15 years, they chose different paths in their ambitions.
The Trailblazer
Big brother David got his highschool diploma at Nacogdoches High School before grabbing attention as an outfielder at Texarkana Junior College byleading the league in several batting categories his sophomore year. He was selected in the 2008 Major League Draft in the 45th round by the New York Mets. But David decided to forego that opportunity and play for Mississippi. “It was tough to tell what to do then,” he said. “But playing in the SEC is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” But David didn’t find the same success at Mississippi. “At Ole Miss, he was basically in a rotation the whole time there,” his father, also named David, said. “It turned out it wasn’t a good fit for him and he never had an opportunity to be a full-time player.”
by jeff awtrey
From left clockwise: Dane at Oklahoma, David at Mississippi, and David and their father, David, Sr.
David went undrafted both years at Mississippi, but after graduation, he decided to keep pursuing his baseball dream, signing with the Washington (Pa.) Wild Things of the Frontier League, the top independent baseball league. Independent league baseball is just a step away from the minor league, David said. “It’s a bunch of guys that have been in pro ball and have been released by an affiliated league or who just didn’t get a chance out of college,” he said. “I learned that as long as I put up good numbers, I’ll get a good shot.” With the Frontier League season over, David is moving on to winter ball in Australia. He’ll be staying with a host family so he won’t have to worry about bills. And he’s playing baseball and getting to visit a foreign country. Continued on Pg 24
eastmensmagazine.com | 23
the next level/ continued Blazing a New Trail
Little brother Dane was enrolled in the Nacogdoches school district until his sophomore year, when he moved to Central Heights. “My mom got a job there so I transferred to make things easier for all of us,” he said.
As a catcher, Dane was a battery mate with Trey Haley, who is now moving through the ranks of the Cleveland Indians organization.
The Family
Dane and David both say they’re extremely close, and talk to each other nearly every day, despite not seeing each other often. “I consider him my best friend,” Dane said. “I try to talk to him as much as I can,” David said. Both boys agree they owe their success to their father. The elder David Phillips works as a financial adviser in Nacogdoches and played football and baseball at Texas A&M.
Dane finished his senior year with an eye-popping .670 batting average and holds several school records, in addition to being named to all-state and all-American teams.
“He’s the main reason I’m doing what I’m doing today,” David Jr. said. “He pushed us to work hard and do the right things. Even today, if I need him to throw me batting practice or whatever, he does it.”
Dane said his big brother didn’t recruit him to be an Ole Miss Rebel.
“We’re great friends,” Dane said. “We talk on the phone every day and that’s fine with me. We have a great relationship.”
“He stayed out of it and let me make my own choice,” Dane said.
Both brothers say their father never put too much pressure on them to succeed.
David disagrees. “I definitely tried,” David said with a laugh. “I guess it wasn’t a good fit for him.” Dane chose to play for Oklahoma State and became a full-time starter for the Big 12 school, splitting time between catching and designated hitter. As a freshman, Dane began the season on a torrid pace, batting .400 for much of the year. “But I hit a pretty bad slump and didn’t recover from it,” Dane said. “And what’s so frustrating about it is I pride myself in being a very consistent hitter. I don’t go on very many hot streaks, but I don’t go on many cold streaks, either.”
“I just went into it with them with the assumption that I knew nothing about baseball,” their father said. “I didn’t act like I was God’s gift to baseball. And it’s still going on today.” David Sr. said he feels that he has to be more an encouragement than anything for his sons. “I’m more of a cheerleader than anything,” he said. “Sometimes they’re down, and I just have to cheer them up. And let me tell you, the higher up they go, the pressure gets bigger and bigger.” “He just wanted to help us excel at whatever we chose to do,” David Jr. said. “It could be baseball or football or band or whatever.”
Still, Dane finished third on the team with a .340 batting average, which is especially impressive considering his lack of experience at that level. As a sophomore, Dane will take on the No. 1 catcher duties with the Cowboys and will meet higher expectations to be a leader of the team.
Dane, left and David, right
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. 24 | EAST - October/November 2010
high tech/ over a quarter of a billion sold! and growing!
by gregg durham
W
Where the Kindle ends as only a book reader, the iPad starts there and goes way beyond.
O
ver the last 9 years, Apple has sold an average of 80,000 iPods per day. That is over a quarter of a billion units. Heck, even McDonalds would be proud of those stats!
iPods have come a long way since 2001. Apple has introduced different models and have upgraded and refined them over the years. In 2007, one model that launched was the iPod touch. It was a game changer. With the launch of the iPod Touch and iPhone, a new way to surf the internet, gather information, and read books electronically was introduced to the world. Fast forward to 2010. The world demands more from Apple and Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, and they deliver--hence the birth of the iPad. The iPad is a super-sized version of the iTouch. With an almost 10” screen, the iPad allows you to read books and online content easily, without straining or the inability to see whole pages. The Kindle was launched in 2007, three years ahead of the iPad and was the staple of the electronic book reading world, but that was all it could really do. Where the Kindle ends as only a book reader, the iPad starts there and goes way beyond. The iPad not only lets you not only read your electronic books, but you can text, e-mail, and surf the net. You can use the iPad via wi-fi or through paid plans on a 3G network. The iPad is super light which makes it easy to carry with you. The iPad cannot replace your laptop or mini notebook, but it comes in somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop. Because I have large hands and fingers, typing on smartphones and or an iTouch have been difficult for me. The larger
touchscreen keyboard on the iPad makes it much easier for me to type. I think it is a big bonus, if you have big hands! One thing the iPad has started to become, in our audio/video and home automation world, is a fill in or a substitute remote control. Several of our vendors offer apps for their control systems. For example, Speakercraft, one of our vendors, has an app which lets you change sources and volume on their amplifiers, instead of using the remote or touching a wall control. I know you are probably saying, “no need to get a universal remote now, right?”, not just yet. With a touchscreen style remote, there are no buttons. Most people like to have buttons on a remote control. Unlike a regular remote, you cannot see or feel buttons or know where you fingers actually are. You have to actually look at the iPad to change things, but it is a great fill in if you can’t grab your normal remote control. Secretly, the real reason I love the iPad is not the flexibility, features, weight or ease of use--it is the ability play and see Angry Birds on a larger screen!
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.
26 | EAST - October/November 2010
Unsung Hero/ Earl Garner “[Earl Garner] is good, dedicated, and humble...It takes good police work skills to have the presence of mind, be suspicious, and to know something just isn’t right.” the right place at the right time,” says Kerss.
F
As Garner ap p roac he d the vehicle, he saw there were two occupants. Upon closer investigation, the driver was a nude male and the passenger was a nude female. Almost immediately, the female let Deputy Garner know she had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted.
or some law enforcement officials, work consists of driving around all day. Others want to find things to “get into”. And yet, for others, it is an instinct they are born with. Garner immediately arrested the driver. According to Sheriff Kerss, Earl Kerss truly believes that Deputy Garner Garner falls into this latter category. saved her life that morning. After further
It all began last fall. One early morning while on duty, Deputy Garner was driving around Nacogdoches. Sheriff Kerss recalls, “The area where Garner was driving was way off the highway. I It was already a difficult area to see, but what made it even more difficult was the fact that the road side park was in a construction area.” While driving around that morning, Garner noticed a vehicle and decided to drive up and check things out. “It was the good Lord’s blessing for Garner to be at
interviews, the female told officials that right before Garner arrived, the man told her, “ I am going to have to kill you.”
“Because of the past criminal history of the assailant and the location of the crime, everything was there for the worst case scenario outcome,” Kerss stated. “No one had yet reported the female missing. There was a pond near by the overlook area where they were. It would have taken hours to days for her to be reported missing, then we would still have to piece together what happened and who did it.” eastmensmagazine.com | 27
Kerss testifies to Deputy Garner’s skills and character as a Sheriff’s Deputy. “He is a good, dedicated, and humble. He doesn’t want to take credit for this because he says it is the same thing anyone else would have done. The actions he displayed that morning are displayed by him on a routine basis. It takes good police work skills to have the presence of mind, be suspicious, and to know something just isn’t right.” The victim was sharing a dorm room with roommates. Because she didn’t want to wake them early in the morning, she went out to the payphone to make a phone call to her husband who was overseas serving in the military. After completing the call, she was kidnapped by the assailant. According to law enforcement officials, this type of crime is out of the ordinary for our area. A pure stranger abduction is not something that generally takes place in Nacogdoches County. SFA is a safe campus. There is no doubt the situation is a nightmare. But, God had his hand over her that morning with Deputy Garner being at the right place at the right time. For his role in this crime, Deputy Garner was just recognized by the East Texas Peace Officer Association as Peace Officer of the Year.
cAR and driver/ first friday cruise night
Y
ou don’t have to live in California to view or own an exotic supercar. Last year in downtown Nacogdoches for a First Friday Cruise Night, a red 2003 Enzo Ferrari valued at over one million and a baby blue and orange striped special edition Ford GT took center stage. The big question that evening was, ”Where did these cars come from?” Surprisingly, they came from a restoration business in Lufkin. They can be contacted at their website: performanceautoworld. com. The bright red Enzo that was displayed on their web site was used in a movie set. One fender had to be replaced due to an accident in the movie, “Red Line”. The fender cost was $75,000 before paint or installation for this one out of ten
F
by doug james
Enzos that still exists. As their website shows, they have a high demand for customers that want specific vehicles. Whether it be motorcoaches, exotic super cars, collectibles, or revamped muscle cars, the client list also includes those that want their vehicles upgraded in both performance and suspension modifications. Such was the case at the September First Friday Cruise Night. On display was a white Viper producing about 850hp. and a Black Mustang revamped with a road racing suspension and a supercharged engine. If you’re looking to see something out of the ordinary besides the contributions from this remarkable company, make it a date on the First Friday Night in Downtown Nacogdoches.
430
Ford GT
You don’t have to live in California to view or own an exotic supercar.
Performance Auto World
28 | EAST - October/November 2010
Photographs by Jimmy Williams
outdoor excursions/ red wood forest
T
he logging business is a hard business to be in: it typically requires working twelve hour days six days a week. Randy Winston and Lynn Pennman started work in the timber business in 1997.
After a few years of operations, they decided to expand into the logging business. “This way we could control how the wood was taken care of, how the roads were being treated, and take care of the trees correctly,” explained Winston. Both Lynn and Randy have enjoyed what they started over ten years ago. They have a good partnership—Lynn buys the timber and Randy runs the crews. And, one thing they both agree on is the dedication, the team, and work it takes to make it a productive endeavor. “Our crew consists of the two of us plus four full time guys. We always enjoy doing things together outside of work—especially hunting trips.” While talking one day, a lot of the guys mentioned how they would love going to the Red Wood Forest. Randy Winston agreed. He agreed to take them all to the Red Wood Forest as a reward for staying with him for so many years. A little over six weeks ago, this group was able to take up Randy on his promise. They packed up their trucks and hung up their boots for a while to make the trip . “We are a rain or shine business. Most jobs are in a 100 mile radius of Lufkin. But the worst part of the job is no doubt the summer heat!,” Winston said, “This trip was a well deserved break and time off from all of it.” Randy Winston says that it felt good to be able to treat his crew with a trip they looked forward to for so long. If your employees are happy, they will work hard for you. “And I can’t wait to do it again!”
Left to Right: Tom Mewborn, Lynn Denman, Brant Sumners and son, Andrew, Jeromy Hunt, Randy Winston, and Randolph Winston.
eastmensmagazine.com | 31
business/auto image If the saying is true that you can’t judge a book by its cover—then any foreign sports car isn’t complete coming straight off the lot.
I
f the saying is true that you can’t judge a book by its cover—then any foreign sports car isn’t complete coming straight off the lot. There is so much more that needs to be done to make it just perfect!
Thanks to Dennis Slomba, owner of Auto Image in Lufkin, those foreign cars, along with many other vehicles, have a place to go to have the finishing touches made. Dennis opened his doors to Auto Image in February 2006. He did his first tint job and began working in the business at 16. Twenty-five years later, he wanted to be able to share his years of experience with customers. Because there is so much personal attention to every vehicle, appointments must be made. Slomba has one full-time employee, JC Navarro, and three part time employees, TJ Whittman, Heath Oliver, and Craig Lawson. All the employees have a passion for vehicles and want every customer leaving them with their
expectations exceeded! Recently, Auto Image added another service to their business: auto detailing. “This was mainly for all our customers who care about their vehicles but just don’t have the time to make them look like they would want, ” said Slomba. “Most people come into our shop thinking vehicles only, but we do a lot of commercial and residential work—houses, buildings, travel trailers, motorhomes. You would be surprised what this can do on your electricity bills, both in the winter and summer.” Over the years, Dennis has been graced with some amazing vehicles that have come in the shop. He has done several Ford GTs, Vipers, Corvettes, motorhomes, Escalades and Chargers. He’s even worked on NFL player Rex Hadnot’s truck. Talking to Dennis, you can hear his passion for what he does. No doubt Auto Image will give your vehicle the attention it deserves!
32 | EAST - October/November 2010
swap shop 2007 Jeep Unlimited Sahara 20K miles, 6 disc CD, 2.5 inch lift, $21,000. Call 465-6502 or email docamylou@hotmail.com
1936 Chevrolet 5 Window Coupe No Motor, Good Solid Body 3K or trade 936.635.2548
‘82 Chevy Bobtail Nice Box, Runs Nice, Good Heavy Hydrolic Lift 3K 936.635.2548
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 November 1, 2010.
eastmensmagazine.com | 33
Why I love East TExas/east texas is the place to live
by dale bounds
“
East Texas is a perfect place to raise children and teach them to enjoy God’s great outdoors.”
E
Dale’s family--Kitty, Lynn, Lara, and Leah at Hog Ranch.
ast Texas is a perfect place to raise children and teach them to enjoy God’s great outdoors. I was raised by parents who loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and they passed that tradition on to me -- a blessing for sure. My father attended Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated from Sam Houston State University after World War II on a G.I. Bill. By the time I was seven, we had lived in Nacogdoches , Huntsville, Newton, and Joaquin, Texas. Although I was very young, I had many pleasant memories from those early experiences in East Texas. I remember the summer in 1949, when I was six years old, living in Newton, Texas. My father had a temporary job helping World War II veterans get their G.E.D. He would get everyone together and head to the Cow Creek swimming hole. I remember the white sugar sand and crystal clear, ice cold water…man, was that fun. In 1951, we moved to Louisiana where I grew up and attended school in Alexandria. I started my career with the U.S. Forest Service on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. I knew I was working for an outfit that would allow me to travel
and work outdoors with our natural resources. My college training and job with the Forest Service was developing publications and audio-visual products that would inform and educate the public about our agency and its activities.
East Texas had grown. This was truly my home, and I was a blessed man, working 30 years for a conservation organization, the U. S. Forest Service, stewards of 208 million acres of public land in the United States.
I accepted a four-year assignment on the National Forests in Florida in 1969 and moved my family to Tallahassee, Florida .
Lufkin residents have a positive attitude about helping people and making our East Texas community excel. The Lufkin Host Lion’s Club played a big part in helping me become a productive civic-minded individual and a proud member of our East Texas community. The volunteer work with the Lion’s Club enabled me to give back a part of what I had been given by East Texans. I learned how to make dreams come true for others through the civic work we did together as community.
Our family grew to three daughters, Lynn Hopper, Lara Bounds, and Leah Grider. Always wanting to be closer to our families, I accepted a job offer in Lufkin in 1973. I knew East Texas would be a great place for our young children, and a place for me to pass on my love of the outdoors by establishing family traditions of outdoor fun. After I accepted the East Texas job, our family was welcomed immediately by the friendly, warm people in Lufkin. Although a new resident, I felt I had been here all my life. My work with the U.S. Forest Service took me all over the United States and to interesting locations including Panama, Puerto Rico and Mexico . I noticed how eager I was to return to East Texas when I would complete those assignments away from home. My love and passion for 34 | EAST - October/November 2010
Our family spent many hours camping, swimming, boating, and fishing on Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend Reservoirs. My daughters loved the hunting club where we spent memorable times together at the “Hog Ranch” in Jasper County at the Fork of the Angelina and Neches Rivers. The duck, squirrel and deer hunting there was outstanding. My children are still living in Lufkin and they enjoy the outdoors with our grandchildren.
While working for the Forest Service, I became involved in the Wild Turkey Restoration Program. My job as a videographer enabled me to film and document what was called “the greatest conservation effort of the century.” In 1987, I videotaped 30 Eastern wild turkeys being released, half on the Davy Crockett National Forest and half on Brushy Creek in Trinity County. That was my first encounter with wild turkeys, and witnessing this relocation and release ignited my passion for conservation and a new passion for the wild turkey. This was the beginning of my relationship with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). A group of U.S. Forest Service employees started the NWTF Pineywoods Chapter here, and this chapter continues to grow some 22 years later. When we started the Pineywoods Chapter, we wanted to be a part of this epic restoration project centered in East Texas. At the time, we knew the restoration needed to be done, but we didn’t know if it would be successful. My work at the Forest Service enabled me to document these relocation and restoration efforts. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the U.S Forest Service, the NWTF, Temple-Inland,
International Paper and others supported this project. These land owners and managers allowed their East Texas lands to be a part of this historic effort and provided financial resources and the right people to make it happen. I’m delighted
East Texas has access to more than
637,000
acres of National Forest land and approximately
400,000 acres of lakes
to say that we can hunt the majestic Eastern wild turkey once again on U.S. Forest Service managed lands and also on private lands. In my opinion, it was the people of East Texas and their love for the
land and wildlife that made this possible. I have made many friends who share my passion and excitement about conservation and protecting our hunting heritage. As a community, we have accomplished great things. In 22 years, the NWTF Pineywoods Chapter has become a leader in the nation and has raised $750,000 that has been brought back here to make our lands thrive and produce better wildlife habitat. In 2009, the Pineywoods Chapter was named the #1 chapter in Texas. My wife, Kitty, and I love East Texas and we have access to more than 637,000 acres of National Forest land in East Texas where we can hunt, fish, hike and photograph what God created. We also have approximately 400,000 acres of lakes to fish and boat with Sam Rayburn’s 114,000 acres, B.A.Steinhagen’s (Dam B) 16,000 acres, Lake Livingston’s 82,000 acres, and Toledo Bend, with 187,000 acres! East Texas is a certainly a terrific place to work and play, and we are indeed rich to live here with all of these resources to enjoy. It’s a great place to hang your hat, and I’m proud to call East Texas home.
Photos from left: The Neches River--Near the Forks, Dale and his wife, Kitty, and Toledo Bend
eastmensmagazine.com | 35
trophy room/trophy hunts
2010 Summer 1 ‘A’ League Champions, AAAthletics/Texans
Joey Waggoner
42” Red Drum, 9/15/2010 Crystal Beach, TX
The St. Cyprian’s Sharp Shooters
(The Archery Club at St. Cyprian’s) From left: Jacob Tindall, Jalen Nerren, Allison Todd, Jack Woodford, Jaslyne Thomas, Garrett Croley, Abby Kistner, Austin Green and Coach Amanda Gentry
CaseyBowers(left)&DamonScoggin(right) Black Drum, 9/15/2010 Crystal Beach, TX
L-R:BradleyMorris,CaseyBowers,JoeyWaggonner,Michael Scoggin,DennisBell,JasonYankie,andJasonBurton Red Drum, Crystal Beach, 9/16/2010
Jason Burton
46.5” Red Drum, 9/16/2010 Crystal Beach, TX
Wesley Shoffitt
Sam Rayburn, 2 1/2 lbs
Archery Camp Photo
Top row from left: Susanne Lively, Lauren Slusher, Kirsten Wilson, Jessica Todd, Samantha Williams, Jose Garcia, Nathan Grace, Amanda Gentry, 2nd row: Hayden Simpson, Jayden Gould, Shanelle Santiago, Maddie Zimmerman, Sarah Hall, Addie Gorden, 3rd row: Alec Castleberry, Allison Todd, Alex Munlin, Payten Eoff, Jared Tanguma, Saad Nazeer, Hadi Imram, Josef Harris, Bottom Row: Joseph Santiago, Ryan Morris, Garrett Croley, Andrew Morris, Austin Green
Email us your Trophy Room Photos to editor@eastmensmagazine.com. Deadline for the December issue is November 10, 2010. If you miss the deadline for the next issue, photos will be used the following month. 36 | EAST - October/November 2010