Discover

Discover

Tyler County 2014

Featuring Woodville, Texas Featuringareas Woodville and surrounding

and surrounding areas.

Discover Tyler County 2014

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INSIDE 5 6 18 20 26 31 34 37

There’s Plenty To See & Do! Something for everyone in Tyler County

The Big Thicket Experience Journey back in time to the Historic Big Thicket

YOUR HOMETOWN

DEALER

W.T. Colmesneil House Museum The house a train conductor built

Allan Shivers Library & Museum Preserving A Texas Governor’s History

Discover Heritage Village Museum Step back into East Texas History

Economic Boom in Tyler County New business brings jobs, economic opportunity

Emporium For The Arts New Venue, New Opportunities

Tyler County Dogwood Festival A Celebration of Spring

On The Cover - The Big Thicket has a unique and diverse ecosystem. There is no other place in the world that has such a diversity of plant life in an area of comparable size. All four ecological systems of North America are present, meeting in the Big Thicket.

The cover photo is one of over 100 Sundew species, a carnivorous plant you will find in the Big Thicket.

2014 Ford F-150 SVT raptor

Do you have Tyler County Magazine 2014 Discover a favorite

Editor - Jim Powers; Writers*- Kelli Barnes, Sandy Taylor, Emily Waldrep, Christine Cyan image?

Sanders; Graphic Design - Kelli Barnes; Advertising - Becky Byley, Kelli Barnes

Discover Tyler County Magazine 2014 is published by Polk County Publishing Company, Livingston, Tx. Serving Chester, Colmesneil, Doucette, Fred, Hillister, Ivanhoe, Spurger, Warren and Woodville. Discover Tyler County Magazine is a visitor’s guide to the pineywoods of Deep East Texas, with emphasis on Tyler County and surrounding areas and is dedicated to the people and businesses that make Tyler County such a wonderful community to work, live and play.

Hassle-free printing 5,000 postcards $149 10,000 flyers $349 1,000 magazines $995 (16 pages, 60# paper)

*Visit your new favorite printer and upload your cyan inspiration: pinterest.com/shweikimedia/cyan For free samples or a quote, call (210) 804 0390, or email samples@shweiki.com

JASPER FORD 2130 N. Wheeler • Hwy 96 North Jasper, Texas • (409) 384-3411 www.jasperford.com

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Discover Tyler County 2014

Stay and Play in Tyler County “Staying is our specialty, so playing can be yours.”

Bed & Breakfast locations in Tyler County:

Winnaway

The B&B with a river!

Bed & Breakfast

507 CR 4442 Spurger, Texas 77660 www.cheraparetreat.com

• Canoeing & Fishing

The with a B&B

river! • Hiking trails

The B&B with a river!

Storytelling The B&B with a river!

5681 5681 FM FM 1746 1746 • • Woodville, Woodville, TX TX 75979 75979 www.winnawaybedbreakfast.com www.winnawaybedbreakfast.com Phone: Phone: (409) (409) 331-9944 331-9944 Cell: Cell: (409) (409) 201-5667 201-5667 • • Fax Fax (409) (409) 331-9906 331-9906 Innkeepers: Innkeepers: David David & & Susie Susie Winn Winn

Windmill Farm

RV

Park

and Bed & Breakfast

Also Available

507 CR 4442

Spurger, Texas 77660 www.cheraparetreat.com

• Stay in a tipi or cabin

507 CR 4442 Spurger, Texas 77660 www.cheraparetreat.com

Also Available

• Canoeing & Fishing around the campfire • Hiking trails shelby@cheraparetreat.com • Stay in a tipi or cabin

214-212-1771 • 409-429-3254 Also Available

507 CR 4442 Storytelling

around theSpurger, campfire

Texas 77660 • Canoeing & Fishing www.cheraparetreat.com • Hiking trails 214-212-1771 • 409-429-3254 • Stay in a tipi or cabin

• Canoeing & Fishing

• Hiking trails

• Stay in a tipi or cabin shelby@cheraparetreat.com

Storytelling

409-547-3433 or 409-377-0126 around the campfire

Email: windmillfarmrvpark@yahoo.com shelby@cheraparetreat.com 340 CR 1245, Warren, TX 77664

Also Available

214-212-1771 • 409-429-3254

Storytelling

around the campfire shelby@cheraparetreat.com

214-212-1771 • 409-429-3254 Our group of newspapers cover 5 counties in East Texas

Don’t stay ordinary...stay exraordinary!

Polk County Publishing Co., Inc.

Houston County Courier, Trinity Standard, Groveton News, Polk County Enterprise, Corrigan Times, Tyler County Booster, San Jacinto News Times.

Our readers trust advertisers in our newspapers.

Let us help you reach all our readers with one ad, one bill and one ad representative. Call today. Kelli Barnes (409) 283-2516

5681 FM 1746 • Woodville, TX 75979

Discover Tyler County 2014

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There’s Plenty To Do & See In Tyler County

by Kelli Barnes

W

elcome to Tyler County, Texas! We are located approximately 100 miles from the Louisiana border in East Texas, between Lufkin and Beaumont on Hwy. 69; and between Livingston and Jasper on Hwy. 190. As you will see, there’s a lot to do any time of the year in this S.E. Texas community.

The first thing to do is book a room. Woodville has two motels - Stagecoach Inn and the Woodville Inn, plus a few Bed and Breakfast accommodations: Cherapa Retreat, The Windmill Farm, Village Street and Winnaway. Any of these options would be a great stay for a special weekend.

Rv’ers will enjoy Paradise RV Senior Community or Triple Creek RV Resort. Triple Creek

always has music venues planned on site for an additional treat.

New to the county is Sunset RV & Cabins. Chester RV Park is also available. Lake Tejas is another option if you enjoy fishing, camping and swimming; also Steinhagan Lake with amazing fishing, camping and birding opportunities.

There are eight official birding/ wildlife trails in Tyler County and exotic animal viewing and hunting opportunities. Also, Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas is just East of Woodville, Allan Shivers Library and Museum in Woodville, The Colmesneil House Museum in Colmesneil, and the John Henry Kirby Museum in Chester.

Camps in the area include Camp Earland, Camp TaKuLa, Victory Camp Colmesneil, Camp Niwana and Camp Tomahawk.

The Dogwood Festival is histor-

ically three weekends long. The first weekend this year, is Friday – Sunday, March 21 - 23 for Festival of the Arts. Enjoy a weekend full of activities at the historical Heritage Village Museum, Gift Shop and Pickett House Restaurant plus the downtown Woodville Art District. Western Weekend for 2014 is March 28 and 29 and will include a trail ride, a twonight rodeo, rodeo parade and rodeo dance. The third weekend, Dogwood Queens’ weekend is the grand finale Saturday, April 5.

Following tradition, it is the first weekend of April each year. This will involve a downtown crafts fair, a huge parade, complete with floats and bands, followed by the Queens Coronation and outdoor pageant, entertainment and fireworks at the historic outdoor amphitheater.

Anytime you visit, plan to enjoy

a nice meal at one of our unique to Tyler County restaurants. TexMex lovers enjoy La Enchilada and Senor Toros; for Italian, Z’s Fillin Station; for Barbecue, the Barbecue Pit; for fine dining, The Tree; Elijah’s Café; The Pickett House; Texas Star; also China Cafe; The Burger House; Hunters BBQ & Seafood; Lester’s Grill & Seafood, Kountry Bumpkins, The 92 Restaurant, plus many chain restaurants.

Keep your eyes open for specialty shops including the famous Jarrott’s Pharmacy/Gifts, and Sullivans Hardware/Gifts.

Other specialty shops include: For the men - Tyco Feed & General Store, D&D Hardware, Martins Hardware, Havis Feed & Hardware, Motts Wholesale, Bob’s Pawn, Napa Auto and O’Reilly Auto, Tyler County Tractor, Shooting Sport Super Store, Tolar Feed & Gun store, Perma Pine Chair & Table Co. For the ladies - Behind the Red Door, Serendipity, Steel Magnolias, Loretta’s Consignment Mall with antiques and gifts, Chicks Dig it, Another Time Antiques, Christine’s Place Resale, Bealls Department Store, McClure’s General Store, Mann Furniture, L&J’s Country Corner, Shirt Shack/Hat Rack, Gails Jewelry Box Boutique, Bubbles & Bows Pet Supplies, The Cottage and Merle Norman Cosmetics and Gifts, Faith Flowers, The Flower Shop and Woodville Florist, Winters Jewelry Sales and Repair, Woodville Nails and Royal Nails will pamper you during your stay. For your convenience, we also have WalMart, Family Dollar and Dollar General stores in the area. For art, J Reid’s Art Gallery and the Tyler County Art League. Seasonally, enjoy L&D’s Strawberry Patch and Flower Branch Gardens Daylilly Farm.

For more information, contact the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce (409) 283-2632 or www.tylercountychamber.org.

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Discover Tyler County 2014

The Big Thicket Experience: Journey Back In Time To Experience The Uniqueness Of The Historic Big Thicket

By Christine Moor Sanders www.christinemoorsanders.com

I

n 1767, Marques de Rubi and Nicolas de Lafora forded their horses across the shallow Neches River to inspect the Spanish missions and presidios and write a full report for their government. They made their way from the Spanish capital of Los Adaes westward then southward into a land the Indians called Tejas. It would be a long ride to the Spanish Mission Orcoquisac established in 1757 at the mouth of the Trinity River near the present day city of Liberty, Texas.

Silvery shafts of light were just beginning to streak through the thicket in the early dawn hours. They could only marvel at the tall pine trees rhythmically silhouetted against the early morning sky. Some parts of the thicket were open savannahs of sweet bluestem grasses, other areas were so dark and thick with long dangling titi vines and vast seas of hardwood trees that a mysterious foreboding clouded the riders’ spirit. Suddenly a black panther screamed from the thicket’s edge along the riverbank, startling their horses. White tail deer darted for cover, always alert to danger.

Rubi and Lafora stepped their horses gingerly across the odd colored rough rocks in the river at the shallow fording place that had been used for centuries. They could hear the sound of distant rapids from downstream just around the bend of the Neches.

The sweet smell of the blooming flowers and the musty smell of

the river mingled together in the foggy river bottom.

As the daylight began to spread and they approached the heart of the Big Thicket, the riders became aware of the many varieties of blooming flowers, trees and other plants. Suddenly shafts of sunlight would reach down through the clouds to highlight an unusual rare plant or thick bed of tall fern bobbing in the breeze, retreating again quickly into the clouds. They spied something new every step of the way. In their thousands of travelled miles, they had never encountered such a variety of plant and animal life. All would soon be duly noted in their report of this extensive trip into what was then called New Spain. The Spanish government had obligated them to keep careful daily journals of all they observed. Much effort and time was taken to map and describe all physical features, all conditions and everything they saw.

Many know little of the significant early history of deep southeast Texas and its place in the history of New Spain. This area of the Historic Big Thicket was originally inhabited by man many thousands of years earlier. In the 1700s, the Spanish government became quite concerned about the larger and larger number of Anglos and French slipping into what was called Tejas in gradually increasing numbers. The Spaniards began to build more and more missions and forts to stem the tide of this creeping quiet migration, as well as to accommodate their eagerness to convert the native

tribes into Christian brothers.

Rubi and Lafora were given the job of reporting about this activity as well as documenting the land.

You see the real migration pressure was coming from the east as the trail the Spaniards were following was really the extension of an old Indian trail called now the Natchez Trace.

The Mississippi River itself also offered a river artery northward from the Gulf for the easy access of those exploring the New World by boat. The Trace carried people from the eastern shores of North America southwestward to the Mississippi River. A trail continued on the western side of the river, then crossed the Sabine River into Tejas, now Texas. Our two riders are known to have ridden from Los Adaes in Louisiana to San Augustine area and the Mission de los Delores built in 1717. They continued their journey by dropping south to cross the Neches River near the Fort Teran area, stepping into present day Tyler County. They then continued their journey riding southward to the Spanish Mission Orcoquisac.

Some of the oldest missions in all of Texas were located along this early La Bahia Road, connecting Los Adaes southwestward to as far as the La Bahia Mission in Victoria and Goliad and San Antonio and then onward into Mexico. Since Los Adaes was the governmental seat for the Spanish, most of the Spanish supplies for the missions were transported along this trail from the Mississippi River. Many of the early roads had a way of moving around a bit from time to time and developing branches and connections

with other trails. The La Bahia road had two main branches, one called the Upper and one the Lower. Most of the western part of Texas was very sparsely settled during this time. This extremely early habitation of southeast Texas gives us a very deep historic setting, touching many different time periods and many different peoples.

You too may share in this same journey of Rubi and Lafora as you explore the Big Thicket in Tyler County, taking in both its rich history as well as the vibrancy of plant life in the thicket. We encourage you to extend

The Big Thicket originally included over 3 million acres of land ... your trip to experience more of the thicket by visiting the surrounding counties. Come enjoy the unique history of the area and the rare natural beauty of the Big Thicket throughout the year. A plant and birding paradise!

The Big Thicket originally included over 3 million acres of land having a rather undefined boundary of the Neches River to the North, Interstate 10 to the South, the Sabine River to the East and the Trinity River to the West. The historic Atascosito District had these same boundaries and is now represented by 10 present day counties. Many square miles of land have long ago been harvested for timber and have been replanted only with pine trees so that this vast acreage is no longer representaContinued on page 10

Discover Tyler County 2014

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Discover Tyler County 2014

VISITOR’S ATTRACTIONS D B

A

C

H

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5 6

8 12 A

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Nature Sites

Big Thicket National Preserve = Units in Tyler County 1. Turkey Creek Unit 2. Beech Creek Unit 3. Upper Neches Corridor Unit 4. Hickory Creek Savannah Unit Other Hiking and Birding Opportunities 5. Steinhagen Reservoir 6. Martin Dies State Park 7. Watson Pinelands Preserve & Studio 8. Dogwood Trail 9. Triple Creek RV Music Park 10. Lake Tejas 11. Boykin Springs Recreational Area 12. Big Woods Hiking Trail Historic Sites A. Heritage Village Museum & Pickett House Restaurant B. Allan Shivers Library & Historic House Museum C. Judge James Wheat Home D. Cooper-Reid Home E. James Barclay Home F. Colmesneil Library & Museum G. Enloe Home H. Camp Ta-Ku-La John Henry Kirby Museum, Memorial Gothic Church, Peter Cauble Home & Cemetery

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The Big Thicket Experience: A Guide to Must See sites in the Thicket By Christine Moor Sanders www.christinemoorsanders.com Journey back in time to experience the uniqueness of the historic Big Thicket.

Search out Tyler County’s nature trails and historic sites. The following listing will give detailed information about the different sites as well as specific directions: The Big Thicket National Preserve is made up of 12 Units that are in 9 counties. There are 4 Units of the Big Thicket National Preserve in Tyler County. Each offers the visitor a different experience and a different diversity in birding. Three of these units have been listed as preferred trails on the new Big Thicket Loop of the Coastal Birding Trail Map.

Nature Sites Big Thicket National Preserve Units in Tyler County 1. North portion of Turkey Creek Unit. This trail is one of the favorite birder trails in the National Preserve and one of the most delightful short hikes if one walks in from the North at FM 1943 and hikes approximately 2.5 miles and returns to FM 1943. This short distance will allow the visitor to reach beautiful sandy bottomed Turkey Creek and the famous Pitcher Plant Trail. The Pitcher Plant Trail can also be entered directly from a dirt road just East of the Turkey Creek Unit from FM 1943. The upper portion of the Turkey Creek Trail is a glorious woodland trail for all seasons having great diversity in its plant life. Four of the five kinds of carnivorous (insect eating) plants of the United States are found in different parts of the Preserve. The Pitcher Plant mass can be viewed from the popular boardwalk. Directions: See Map. Take US 69 South from Woodville to Warren. Turn East on FM 1943 and go 4.5 miles to the trail head on the South side of highway. If the visitor is extremely vigorous, they might elect to hike the total length of the 15 mile trail that extends all the way from Tyler County into Hardin County. The visitor might also like to drive to the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitors Center in Hardin County and begin this lengthy trail from the South end of the Turkey Creek Unit.

2. The Beech Creek Unit with its 1 mile long Beech Woods Trail loops its way through magnificent old growth Beech trees. Come in the fall and see their golden leaves against the blue sky. Directions: See Map. Travel approximately 1 mile East on US 190 from US 190 and US 69 intersection in Woodville. Turn Southeast onto FM 1746 and travel 8.3 miles. Turn South on FM 2992 and drive 4.8 miles South to trailhead on the East side of the road.

3. The Upper Neches River Corridor Unit is only accessible by boat.

4. The Hickory Creek Savannah Unit has many Longleaf Pine trees and a 0.5 disabled access boardwalk. This is another preferred trail listed on the new birding map. The visitor is also likely to be able to view another fascinating carnivorous plant, the tiny Sundew, as they walk the Sundew Trail. Directions: See Map. Take US 69 South out of Woodville. 4.2 miles South of Warren, you will see FM 2827 to the West. Turn to West on FM 2827 and go about 0.5 miles.

Turn South on a dirt road to go a short distance to reach the Sundew Trailhead.

Other Hiking and Birding Opportunities 5. Steinhagen Reservoir offers a variety of birding opportunities, from the Yellow-throated Warbler and Indigo Buntings in the summer to the many water fowl species that call the lake their home most of the year. An occasional sighting of the American Bald Eagle has occurred over the lake and the Neches River area. There are a number of additional small parks around the lake for your enjoyment. These are listed on the coastal Birding Map. Directions: See Map. Take US 190 East from Woodville 13 miles.

6. Martin Dies State Park has many beautiful areas around Steinhagen Reservoir. The park is divided into 3 different units. Be on the look out for the exciting Pileated Woodpecker. Nesting rookeries of herons and egrets can often be sighted in the lake. These birding areas are listed on the Coastal Birding Map. Directions: See Map. Take US 190 East from Woodville 13 miles. The main visitors center is East of the Reservoir on the South side of US 190.

7. Watson Pinelands Preserve & Studio has many rare and endangered species of native plants. This preserve was formed by Geraldine Watson who was one of the earliest voices raised to create the Big Thicket National Preserve. Directions: See Map. Travel 12.6 miles South on US 69 to Warren. Continue South on US 69 3 miles. Turn East on CR 4777 and go 0.5 miles. The preserve Entrance and Studio will be on

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tive of the HISTORIC thicket with its abundant variety of plant and animal life. Smaller pockets of the HISTORIC thicket with its mixed timber groupings still remain in Tyler County and other surrounding counties. he Big Thicket is unique in the world! There is no other place in the world that has such diversity of plant life in an area of comparable size. All 4 ecological systems of North America are present, meeting in the thicket. The Big Thicket is a biological cross roads! You can even stumble upon cactus blooming right next to water loving fern. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see one of the rare orchid species that live in the thicket. This rich diversity presents itself in a variety of ways and therefore offers a very special experience for the visitor. This same unusual diversity is carried out in birds, animals, reptiles, plants, trees and many other living things.

There are some who look at

T

Discover Tyler County 2014

the world and think that miracles do not happen today; but when one closely observes the plant life in the Big Thicket, they may well come to a totally different conclusion. In today’s world, one might observe the seemingly dead branches of the Dogwood tree and then see that it has burst into bloom the next day into a fairytale cascade of snowy white flowers billowing in the wind. Is that not God’s miracle? Maybe one sees what looks like a stone-dead Grancy Greybeard tree with its raggedy branches only to observe it the next day covered with blooms of fragile wispy white beards.

Or maybe a person might suddenly spy an intricate, delicate, complicated flower that is very small and close to the ground and finds out later that it is actually the insect eating Sundew. How can that be?

Are these just miracles we take for granted? We invite you to come see the miracle of life in the Big Thicket and experience it all. Join in the whole grand adventure!

The very denseness and variety of the vegetation itself has had a great impact on the history of the Big Thicket. It was occupied by several Indian groups, including the Caddo Tribe of long ago.

The Alabama and Coushatta

Cherokee Church Tribes inhabited Tyler County long before they acquired their

present Reservation Land just to the West in Polk County. In fact they lived along the same La Bahia road near the home of James Barclay, who was the first Indian agent appointed by Sam Houston for the whole Republic of Texas. Many settlers came to the area drawn by the abundant wildlife, the prolific timber and the rich planting soil.

Little known to most, even the Hudson Bay fur trappers migrated down from St. Genevieve, Missouri looking to load their boats with beaver pelts. Many were also drawn to the dense thicket to hide from pursuit.

To escape whatever had gone wrong in their lives.

There is a vast selection of hiking trails and other opportunities to help you experience the uniqueness of the Big Thicket located

Tyler County Art League Fine Art Centre & Gallery

showcasing original art of exceptional quality

Classes and workshops available (youth and adult)

Major credit cards accepted

Hours: Tues-Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.• Sat 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. • After hours by appointment (409) 283-2788 • 210 W. Bluff/Hwy. 190 West in Woodville, TX • www.tylercountyartleague.org

Discover Tyler County 2014

in Tyler County. Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, it is always beautiful. Please check the map to gather more specific information for birding and hiking trails by referring to the numbered list. Please check the lettered list for more details to better enjoy the rich history of Tyler County.

Carefully note that many maps do not give adequate information for your happy arrival at the trailheads. Consult our map for directions. our birding trip to Texas cannot be complete until you have visited the historic Big Thicket. You will find throughout the thicket fourteen species of breeding warblers. These birds exist in large numbers and can be found in their breeding plumage. You will also likely see the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, and the Brown-headed Nuthatch. Many of these birds cannot be seen on the more coastal birding route.

Consult the office of the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Village Mu-

Y

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seum in Tyler County and the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitors Center in Hardin County for more information.

Tyler County’s extensive history can best be explored by visiting the unique Heritage Village Museum owned by the Tyler County Heritage Society since 1987. Heritage Village has a very fine exhibit of Native American artifacts as well as an extensive collection of books in the Whitmeyer Genealogy and Research Library. The museum itself is a collection of historic buildings, spacious grounds and old time activities enabling the visitor to step back in time. As the blacksmith makes those sparks fly, one glimpses the days gone by. Share in this special experience with the museum’s 25,000 visitors a year. Heritage Village

Childress Monument Works, Inc. “Call about our ‘no interest’ pre-need plan.”

Childress Monument Works, Inc., has been a full service monument company for 65 years. We are family-owned and operated. Compare our workmanship, quality and prices. Our only business is to serve your memorial needs.

We have over 200 in stock to choose from!

Home location: 4 miles south of Woodville on Hwy. 69 Visit our website: www.childressmonumentwork.com

(409) 283-2487 Memories carved in stone since 1948.

Complete Bookkeeping & Tax Service We beyour your monthly bookkeepers Wewant want to to be monthly bookkeepers and andtax tax preparers for your 2012 return. preparers for all your tax returns.

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Museum has the added attractions of a quality museum store,

All are gathered together on the same large partially wooded site in a village like setting. e sure to take a little time to stop at the Allan Shivers Library and the historic home that houses many remembrances of the late Governor Shivers and his family. Other Tyler County historic sites cannot be left out. Visit the famous John Henry Kirby birthplace that now functions as a small museum at Peach Tree Village (now Camp Ta-Ku-La) and see the beautiful Gothic church with its steeple reaching up as high as the surrounding tall pines. Visit the nearby historic Peter Cauble home in the same Chester area. See the W.T. Continued on page 12

B

Collier General Store the famous Pickett House Restaurant that serves chicken and dumplings boarding house style, the Whitmeyer Library, Behind the Red Door Tea Room and the trailhead of the Big Woods Nature Trail. This trail in the historic Big Thicket gives the visitor the opportunity to view many of the Woodland birds and is such a nice walk after a delicious lunch.

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Discover Tyler County 2014

Colmesneil House in nearby Colmesneil with its emphasis on early railroad history and its collection of historic Texas documents. For more specific directions and information view the keyed map to select nature trails and historic sites, utilizing the numbers and letters. here are a number of places to stay in Woodville for the night and several very good restaurants to give the visitor a little break from his sightseeing.

Don’t forget to check out the art center, numerous small antique shops and other specialty shops, all near the Courthouse Square and along the highways. Bring your motor home or camping trailer to fill up the 100 slots at

T A Big Thicket Creek

the Triple Creek RV Music Park.

This neatly kept park has many special evenings of Bluegrass and gospel music. Join the hundreds coming from as far away as Louisiana. While you are there, take advantage of the hiking and birding trail along Rush Creek on the grounds of the RV Park.

We hope you will enjoy your stay in Tyler County and the surrounding counties. Let us know how we can make your next visit an even more enjoyable experience. Have a good family time!

J. Michael Risinger

R

Civil Trial Law • Family Law • Criminal Law • Personal Law

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Page 13

A Guide to Must See sites in the Thicket the North side of the road.

8. The Dogwood Trail is on the Big Thicket Loop of the Birding Trail Map. Mention is made that this trail offers another opportunity to view Woodland birds that cannot be found in other areas. This trail is a fairy land in the Spring with its many blooming Dogwood trees. The trail follows the meanderings of Theuvenins Creek on 88 Acres and has been a very popular birding trail. The Dogwood Trail is also part of the designated Texas Forest Association Woodland Trail System. The land is owned by a large private owner and is always opened to the public. Directions: See Map. Go East on US 190 from Woodville approximately 4 miles. Entrance sign will be on the North side of the highway.

9. Triple Creek RV Music Park has the beautiful Rush Creek

Trail starting from the very edge of the RV Park and entering the head of Rush Creek Canyon. The beginning of this trail is relatively accessible. The Rush Creek Trail continues on in a more primitive manner through about 4000 acres of leased land that is accessible to the public depending on hunting status. Birdwatching observation platforms are available for use.

Directions: See Map. Travel approximately 1 mile East on US 190 from US 190 and US 69 intersection in Woodville. Turn Southeast onto FM 1746. Travel 5.5 miles until you reach sign on North side of highway. Turn onto dirt road at sign and go 3 miles.

10. Lake Tejas is owned by the Colmesneil School District.

This beautiful lake with its rock walls was built in the shape of the State of Texas by the CCC group around 1939. Enjoy the

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hiking trails along the perimeters of Lake Tejas and the wonderful swimming opportunity in the summer. Directions: See Map. Take US 69 North out of Woodville 10 miles to Colmesneil. Turn East on FM 256 1.2 miles. This will bring you to the entrance of Lake Tejas on the North side of FM 256.

11. Boykin Springs Recreational Area is in the Angelina National Forest and can be easily reached by driving North out of Woodville. This site is described as being one of the best sites on the Coastal Birding Trail Map for viewing a great variety of Woodland birds. The visitor might like to continue into the adjacent counties for other exciting adventures. Directions: See Map. Drive North from Woodville on US 69 through Colmesneil and continuing North 2.2 miles.

Turn East on R255 until you can turn Northwest onto TX 63.

12. The Big Woods Hiking trail is all part of the Heritage Village Museum complex A.-below.

All of the Heritage Village site is part of the historic Big Thicket. It has quite a nice trail that winds through about 20 acres of land. The trailhead starts conveniently opposite the Pickett House Restaurant for those who need to work off a little fried chicken and biscuits. This wooded acreage is nestled in a secluded area with many birding opportunities.

Historic Sites Tyler County has many more marked historic sites than are listed below.

A. Heritage Village Museum and Pickett House Restaurant have a lot to offer the visitor. Heritage Village Museum is a collection of 6 historic buildings and more Continued on page 14

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A Guide to Must See sites in the Thicket...continued

than 20 other buildings representing village life in Tyler County from about 1850-1910. Each building is furnished with authentic relics of the past. Heritage Village Museum has a complete year round special programming package, with its largest endeavor being the Harvest Festival that is always held on the third weekend of October. Contact for a full schedule of events. The Pickett House Restaurant is noted for its famous homestyle cooking and its relaxed atmosphere. Many have lazed away the afternoon rocking on the front porch. There is the Behind the Door Tea Room serving delightful food. Plus the Big Woods Hiking Trail (See above). People travel from far and near to research in the incredible Whitmeyer Genealogy and Research Library. This library has a large collection of genealogical materials on early Tyler County families as well as historical information on the various Indian Tribes that occupied Tyler County and a large collection of Indian artifacts. The village has an active group of Civil War re-enactors, blacksmiths and a strong emphasis on demonstrating other old time crafts. The Spinners and Weavers are a particularly active group and have moved into their new building. Heritage Village houses a very fine exhibit of historic wagons as well as early railroad history. Directions: See Map. Turn West on US 190 out of Woodville. Drive approximately 2 miles. Look for Heritage Village Museum sign at entrance on the North side of the highway.

B. The Allan Shivers Library is attached to an historic home. This Historic House Museum may be toured by contacting the library. It is furnished and also houses many of the special remembrances of the late Governor Allan Shivers and his family. There are a number of historic photographs and of particular interest are those with Governor Shivers and President Lyndon B. Johnson. Directions: See Map. Turn West on US 190 at Courthouse Square. Turn North

on North Charlton at the Courthouse Square and go 3 blocks.

C. Judge James Wheat Home is a gracious historic 2 story Greek Revival home located on the South side of the Courthouse Square.

This home was long occupied by the James Wheat, a noted historian and one of the founders of the Famous Dogwood Festival held each Spring in Tyler County. Directions: See Map. Home has an historic marker. Roadside viewing only.

D. Cooper-Reid Home is a classic Greek Revival home that has been restored to its full glory as the “Jewel in the Forest”, with special attention given to the restoration of the grounds as well. It was originally built in 1850 and has undergone several revisions.

Samuel Bronson Cooper, who served in the U. S. Congress for six consecutive terms beginning in 1892., acquired the house shortly after it was built. It was given a historical marker in 1968. Directions: See Map. Home is located on North side of West Bluff(US 190) approximately .2 miles West of the Courthouse. Roadside viewing only.

E. James Barclay Home was built in 1842 and was the hand hewn log home of the first Indian Agent appointed by Sam Houston for the State of Texas. This home is located on the old Spanish Road to the Mission Orcoquisac and has been continually occupied by the same family. Sam Houston was a frequent guest. The home is built out of 18” pine logs utilizing dovetail joint construction. Directions: See Map. Travel 5 miles West on US 190 and turn South on FM 256.

Go approximately 5 miles South to home located on the left. The last 3 miles of this road are dirt.

Roadside viewing only.

F. W.T. Colmesneil Library and Museum in Colmesneil built along the old railroad track that carried lumber from the Yellow Pine Mill and rock from Rockland

used to build the Galveston jetties many years ago. The museum emphasizes early railroad history and has a fine collection of historic documents and early Texas maps.

Travel from Woodville Courthouse Square on US 69 North 11 miles. Turn right at FM 256.

Colmesneil house is almost immediately on right at S. Pitzer.

G. Enloe Home has an historic marker and was the home of one of the earliest settlers in Tyler County. The family ran a lucrative mill on the nearby creek in the old days. Directions: See Map. Take US 69 North out of Woodville 10 miles to Colmesneil. Turn West on FM 256 and then quickly take right fork onto FM 1745. Go approximately 3 miles and watch on the North side of the road. Roadside viewing only.

H. Camp Ta-Ku-La and the John Henry Kirby Museum resides in one of the most historic areas of Tyler County. It is very near the historic site of the Mexican Fort Teran and the camp itself was once called Peachtree Village.

Many Alabama Indians lived here in the old days and migrated yearly

to the coast. This trail is the very same used by the early Spanish explorers. In the 1800’s, the land was purchased by the Kirby family and later by the Governor Allan Shivers family. John Henry Kirby grew up at Peachtree.

He did not learn to read until he was about 16 years old and later founded a huge industrial conglomerate, all starting first with the founding of the Kirby Lumber Company. Mr. Kirby built a beautiful Gothic Church on the grounds as a memorial to his parents. It has been completely restored and is used by the camp.

Just a little farther North on FM 2097 can be found the historic Peter Cauble Home and Cemetery. This is the oldest home in Tyler County. Directions: See Map. Travel North from Woodville on US 69 and turn West on US 287 to Chester. Continue approximately 0.3 miles through Chester. Turn North on FM 2097. Go approximately 2 miles. You will see the inspiring sight of a Gothic Church in the middle of the piney woods on the West side of the road.

Friendly Camp Ta-Ku-La will show you around.

Discover Tyler County 2014

Page 15

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Discover Tyler County 2014

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It focuses on enhancing a patient’s comfort and improving quality of life.

Hospice is based on the belief that through sensitive, appropriate care and the support of a caring community, terminally ill patients and their families can begin to prepare to face the inevitable challenges ahead. Centuries ago, a hospice was a shelter for travelers. Over the years, it evolved into a refuge where people could find care, comfort and support during difficult times in their journey through life.

When a patient’s physician certifies that hospice care is appropriate, one of Odyssey Hospice’s nurses will admit the patient to our program within three hours – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The nurse and an Odyssey affiliated physician, who specialize in understanding and treating pain, will develop a plan of care to ease the patient’s discomforting symptoms. Under Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance programs, Odyssey will provide medical supplies and equipment associated with the terminal illness, such as bandages, catheters, oxygen, hospital bed, wheelchair and walkers, at no cost to the patient. Odyssey will also provide medications associated with the terminal illness to help relieve symptoms at no cost to the patient.

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Page 18

Discover Tyler County 2014

W.T. Colmesneil Library & Museum The House A Train Conductor Built

Jerri Smart hated seeing all the businesses and buildings that she had grown up with in Colmesneil disappearing one by one. Colmesneil had once been the largest town in Tyler County, but its history was going away.

So in 2002, she convinced her friend Billy Gregory, who had already secured the old Colmesneil train depot and had been collecting railroad memorabilia for some time, to go in with her to buy the the oldest house still standing, the decaying home of W. T. Colmesneil, the conductor on the first railroad train that came through the area and the person for whom the town was named.

The house was a mess, but four years, and a lot of work (and help from volunteers) later, the home was ready for the grand opening. It is filled with beautiful antiques and small treasures.

The Colmesneil House is at 601 256 east from Highway 69, turn south on Pitzer and look for the sign on the right.

South Pitzer Street. Take Highway Phone 409-837-9946 for information and hours.

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Discover Tyler County 2014

Allan Shivers Library & Museum Preserving The History Of A Texas Governor

Allan Shivers Library & Museum certainly offers a look back on its past through its collection of memorabilia from former Texas Governor Allan Shivers. More than that, though, it looks forward in its commitment to serve the Tyler County community through the library.

Governor Shivers (1907 - 1985) might have been born in Lufkin, but he grew up in Woodville, so Tyler County folks consider him a “native son.”

The building housing the museum was built in Woodville by Robert A. Cruise in 1881 and moved in 1963 to make way for a hotel.

The Shivers secured the building and moved it to its current location, where they restored it and converted it into the museum. At the same time they built a completely equipped library.

The most recent addition to theLibrary is Bunch Reading and Meeting Room, a 2,000 sq. ft. extension with a meeting room, kitchen, sitting room and space for additional library materials.

It also contains large print books and AV equipment for Senior Citizens.

Allan Shivers Library & Museum is located at 302 N. Charlton Street in Woodville. For more information phone (409) 283-3709.

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Dis

Discover Tyler County 2014 Kerrick 54

385

Stratford 15

Cor

rizo

Dallam

Cre

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87

Ware Sherman

102

Dalhart

McKibb

Cactus

Morse J 287 Moore

Hartley 152

Hartley

54

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Dumas 87

136

Channing 354

B Fritch 136

ian R.

Canad

Boys Ranch Puente Oldham

Potter

Boden

Carson

Gluck

Gruhlkey Vega 40 Randall

385 214

Deaf Smith

Canyon

Umbarger

Ogg 207

Hereford 214

Vigo Park

Friona

Dimmitt 60

Tulia 86 86

Parmer

Castro

Swisher

86

Hart

Farwell

Kress 214

194

70

Muleshoe Plainview Lamb

Hale

Sudan Bailey

Floyda 214

Littlefield Enochs

27

84

C 114

New Deal Morton

Cochran

Hockley

114

Levelland

207 114

Lubbock

Lubbock

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87

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New Home

Yoakum

Terry

62

Plains

P

Brownfield Tahoka

82

380 Lynn

214

G 137

Denver City

O'Donnell

83

Welch 83

Dawson

137 214

Gaines

Gail

180

Lamesa

Borde

Seminole Patricia Ackerly 137 115

Florey

Howard 176

Andrews 176

Andrews

Big Spring

Martin 115

385 349

Stanton 128

137

Midland

Anthony

115

Ector

Dell City Spraberry Angeles Loving

Peco

Pine Springs

El Paso El Paso

Garden

Kermit

s R.

10

Odessa Winkler

302

Cornudas

Midland

Glasscock

62

Douro 20 115

Mentone

Socorro

349

18

137

Clint Monahans Hudspeth

Ward

Barstow

Tornillo

Reagan 18

Pecos Crane

Culberson

54

Stiles

Crane

Upton

329

17

Grandfalls

Fort Hancock

329

Valley Farm

Christine Moor Sanders

Rankin

Big Lak Reeves

18

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Eagle Flat Rio Pecos 285

Saragosa Rio

349

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Balmorhea

Van Horn

Iraan Fort Stockton 190

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349

Jeff Davis

Pecos

Chancellor

TYLER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Sheffield

118

1

90 67

Fort Davis

Valentine

285

118

Titley 17

Herd • Mounts • Hides email: sanderslonghorns@yahoo.com

17

385

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349

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Pec

Marfa Terrell

Marathon

Presidio

90

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Ruidosa

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Dryden

385

67

Pumpville 118

Brewster

Shafter

Ochoa

Presidio

Redford

118

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R.

Sanderson Emerson

Lajitas

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Tinaja Candelaria

Boquillas Castolon

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Discover Tyler County 2014

Page 23

54

Follett

15

Bernstein 305

Perryton Hansford

rd 15

15

Lipscomb

Spearman Sherman

Lipscomb 213

Ochiltree

McKibben

83

207

Cactus Canadian R.

Morse Junction

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Coburn

Hutchinson

Moore

Roberts 152

Canadian Hemphill

Stinnett 70

Dumas 87

136

Miami Borger Fritch 136 152

Pampa 60

Puente Potter

Wheeler

Carson

Wheeler

Gluck

273

70

Gray

Panhandle McLean Shamrock Randall

273

Collingsworth

Claude Howardwick 287

Canyon 203

Clarendon Wellington

Armstrong

Ogg 207

Donley

Memphis 256

Lakeview Briscoe

70

Estelline

Hall Swisher

62

Childress

Vigo Park

Tulia 86

Silverton

86

Childress

86

Turkey Kress 207

287

70

Northfield

Quanah

Motley

Floyd

Plainview

Medicine Mound

Cedar Hill

Hardeman

Dunlap

Hale

Cottle

Vernon 240

70

6

Foard

Burkburnett Wilbarger

Paducah

Matador Floydada

Electra Wichita

Crowell

62 70

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Tulip Truscott

Archer

New Deal Knox

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287

79

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Glenn

R. Montague

Henrietta

Cone

37

Powderly

78

Red River

Montague

82

Crosbyton

Paris

82

Sherman Dickens Crosby

207

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Dickens

King

Lamar

Fannin

Howe

Bogata

Tioga

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222

59

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148

Hunt

81 121

Chico

251

Boston Franklin

277

Commerce

79

Decatur

Haskell

Young

67

16

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Springtown Eliasville

Pittsburg

Carrollton

Crystal Falls Dawson

Dermott

Parker

92 6

Fisher

Stephens

Shackelford

Lueders

199

Dallas

Rockwall

Emory 154

Rains

155

Quitman

205

Weatherford

Palo Pinto

Wood

Roby Snyder

Jones

Scurry

Breckenridge

70

Palo Pinto

Albany

171

Strawn

283

Hood

350 6

Sweetwater

Harrison

Red Oak

Granbury

Longview

Johnson

Tye

Gregg

Canton

Kaufman

Mansfield

Abilene

Howard

Van Zandt

Kaufman 175

20

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Jefferson Gilmer Upshur

Mineola

Tarrant

208

atricia

154

80

Arlington

Fort Worth

351

84

69

Dallas

180

Anson

Borden

20

34

Eastland

Smith

64

Keene

149

Waxahachie

Colorado City

Tyler

Kilgore

377

Bono Nolan

20

Big Spring

Martin

Baird

Buffalo Gap

Callahan

Spade

16

6

Cleburne

Eastland

Ennis

43

Athens 45

31

149

Henderson

Glen Rose

67

Stephenville 277

Panola

171

208

Mitchell

64

69

70

Forsan

79

Ellis

Somervell

Erath

Gun Barrel City

287

36

Taylor

Stanton

Marion

34

Irving

49

Gail

180

Camp

19

Stamford 92

Hamlin

sa

59

Daingerfield

Sulphur Springs

Plano

114

Woodson Clear Fork

70

O'Donnell

49

Greenville

Lewisville

199

Brazos R.

208

Cass

Mount Pleasant 30 37

380 121

Graham

Aspermont Justiceburg

8

Mount Vernon

Collin

Denton

Jack

283

Garza

Wise

Bridgeport

Throckmorton

Haskell 380

Morris

McKinney

380

Throckmorton Lynn

Titus

Denton

Jacksboro Post Tahoka

Hopkins

19

Jayton

208

Bowie

Cooper

289

Sanger

Alvord

16

183

Stonewall

Delta

34

Olney

Girard Kent

New Boston

281

79

Home

259

19

Bonham

Cooke

Bowie

Westover

114

Spur Knox City

87

Clarksville Grayson

Benjamin 6

Lubbock

Lubbock

59

Clay

Archer City

Baylor

Cross Plains Trinidad

Corsicana Blackwell

Comanche

Navarro

174

6 16

22

Carthage

Henderson

315 135 19

67 Runnels

137

87

163

Hillsboro

84

Hico

36

Silver Valley

E V Spence Res.

Garden City

New Summerfield

79

Jacksonville Winters

Rusk

287 Brown

Spraberry Robert Lee

Hasse

Hill

Meridian Comanche

Bronte

Bosque

Joaquin

Cherokee

Anderson

22

84

171

7 14

16

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155

Montalba

Coleman 158

Sterling City

158

Glasscock

West

22

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Hubbard

Rusk

Clifton

279

59

Palestine

Ballinger

36 6

Hamilton

171

Angelina

Limestone

208

Sterling

Fairfield

31

Mexia Carlsbad

Miles

Hamilton

377

Nacogdoches

Waco

69

Groesbeck

164

Woodway

Color

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Leon

281

Eden

21

San Saba

Falls

320

Copperas Cove

69 94

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Hammond Belton

Robertson

Temple

Groveton

Newton

Franklin 287 Madison

19

Madisonville

Trinity

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71

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Pontotoc Burnet

190

Eldorado

Bell

Briggs

Hearne Cameron Seven Oaks

29

87

Polk

190 Williamson

Streeter

Llano

29

Mason

Brazos

Milam

95

Burnet

Walker

Jasper

Huntsville L. Livingston

Milano

Bryan Llano R.

377

Cleo

Mason

30

36

Rockdale Georgetown Llano

71

79

Coldspring

Granite Shoals Taylor

Neches R.

Sonora

Tyler

Bedias 90

29

29

London 10

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Schleicher

Ozona Sheffield

150

College Station

Caldwell Cedar Park

6

95

Shepherd

Anderson Sutton

Junction Burleson

71

Round Mountain

Kimble

277

349

45

Navasota

Lee

21

Dime Box Grimes

77

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Washington

36

R.

87

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Travis

Telegraph

163

96

San Jacinto

90

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Gillespie 16

Pec

Newton

190

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Menard

349

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Rockland

Lampasas

Iraan

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Nech

75

190

Zavalla

Diboll

Lovelady

16

163

Crockett

Trinity

Houston

Killeen

Lampasas San Saba

T e x a s

147

Marlin

190

Melvin Brady

9

Sabine

96

Angelina

Centerville 7

Christoval

Hemphill

7

35 36

Irion

Bronson 7

Crockett

79

77

Hall 87

Big Lake

103 7

McCulloch

Mertzon

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San Augustine

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Robinson Hewitt 16

83

21

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Goldthwaite

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Tom Green

San Augustine

Nacogdoches

Grapeland

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164

Buffalo Concho

Center

21

Bellmead Coryell

Mills

283

San Angelo 163

Shelby

294

36

Mullin Paint Rock

Trinit

Concho R.

67 Reagan

Stiles

Alto

294

Sobi

137

Freestone

84

R.

Coleman

49

McLennan

Brownwood

Elgin

Cleveland

Hardin

146

105

Conroe

Fredericksburg

Montgomery

Silsbee

Kountze

Liberty

10 55

87

95

Johnson City

71

16

Giddings

Woodbranch

6

Brenham

Blanco

87

Edwards

35

41

Ingram

Val Verde

Kerr

59

Hempstead

21

Bastrop

Kerrville

377

Kendall

Rocksprings Comfort

321

Bastrop

Hays

41

Tomball

Fayette

Smithville

Waller

Groves Nederland Harris

71

Camp Verde

Orange

Liberty

21

27

Real

Austin

Lockhart

San Marcos

Crosby 146

36

304

Comal

Vance

Caldwell

Port Arthur 90

La Grange

Jefferson

Sealy

Boerne

Carta Valley

Vidor

Humble

Bellville

Rutersville

Pumpville

Trinity R.

Juno

Houston

W.

90

Columbus

Flatonia

281

124

Pasadena

10 Bexar

55

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Sugar Land

Colorado

Gonzales

Seguin

Chambers

87

Missouri City

Live Oak Richmond 6

. sR

Kinney

New Braunfels

16

Bandera

Frio R.

Camp Wood Amistad Res.

95

Bandera

Leakey Comstock

82

Anahuac

Guadalupe

Concan Medina

Uvalde

Leon Valley

45

Gonzales Hallettsville

Converse

Fort Bend

71

80 97

127

Lavaca

San Antonio

Hondo

Texas City

Wharton

New Taiton 183

87

Galveston

La Marque

Sabinal

Brackettville

Alvin

59

Wharton

83

Yoakum

173 60

Uvalde

Galveston

Brazoria

111

87 90

El Campo Angleton

Spofford Thelma Devine

West Columbia

Floresville 277

Wilson

16 131

Lindenau Dewitt

Cuero

80

Moore

111

173

Lake Jackson Clute

77 97

Falls City

Yorktown

Edna

Pleasanton Quemado

La Pryor

36

Pearsall Zavala

72

Medina R.

57

Maverick

Bay City Nursery

111

Freeport 35

Karnes City

Jackson

Jourdanton

60

Frio

Victoria

Karnes

Victoria

Atascosa

Eagle Pass

Matagorda

35

239

Palacios Dilley

Matagorda

185

59

Goliad

Crystal City

181

85

277

97

Goliad

Whitsett 16

McMullen

San

Tuleta

85

Carrizo Springs

Anto

Port Lavaca

nio R.

Bee

72

Calhoun

77

Asherton

72

72

97

Cotulla

Seadrift Beeville

Tilden

Austwell

37

Dimmit

185

183

202

Refugio

35

Artesia Wells La Salle

George West

Aransas

Refugio

16

83

Live Oak

35

Lamar Mathis San Patricio

Encinal

Sinton

Rockport

Seven Sisters 359 44

Orange Grove

Rio e

nd Gra

Jim Wells

Nueces R.

Freer

Portland

Ingleside

Webb 44

Alice

Nueces

44

Corpus Christi

San Diego

59

Petronila

339

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Next-to-last Saturday in March

16

Kingsville

359

141

359 339

Kleberg

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Hebbronville El Cenizo 285

285

Sarita

Zapata

281 77

San Ygnacio Jim Hogg

16

Quilt Show Spinners & Weavers Blacksmithing Live Music plus: Dinner-on-the-Grounds Sunday

Falfurrias

16

Kenedy

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Rudolph La Reforma Falcon Port Mansfield Starr

Hidalgo

Raymondville Willacy

Roma

• Downtown Art District

Edinburg 107

Elsa

Cameron

McAllen

2 p.m. Dogwood Festival Parade

San Benito

281

Brownsville

Historical Outdoor Play/Pageant

Fireworks Finale Lake Tejas Camping and Recreations Parade Routes

Street Art Show Demonstrators Live Music

186

Rio Grande City

Trailrides • Rodeo 7 p.m.

Home of the Tyler County Festival 7:30 p.m.Queen’s Coronation Saturday:Dogwood

Brooks

Zapata

83

7 a.m. Dogwood Dash

Friday: 5 Arts/Crafts Festival Heritage Village9 - Museum Antique Car Show

Directions to Woodville: from Dallas, 230 miles southeast from Houston, 100 miles northeast from Beaumont, 55 miles north

Trailride Parade downtown 2 p.m.

Rodeo 4:30 p.m.

Western Dance: 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Martin Dies Jr. State Park

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Tyler County Art District

Book a room: Call (409) 283-2632

for motel/bed & breakfast information

The Trailride parade travels from 287, around to 190.

The Dogwood parade begins on 190 and travels to 287.

Page 24

Discover Tyler County 2014

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Tyler County Art Gallery

Center Of The Cultural Arts District

T

he art gallery is the showcase for the Tyler County Art League, an organization which has grown over the last seven years from a gathering of nine artists back in 2003 to a membership of several hundred today. The Art League completed the purchase of the gallery building two years ago, and is now focusing on upgrading the facility.

The gallery is filled with art representing over 100 artists with work crossing many genres, from painting and sculpture to photography and pottery. Whatever your interest in art, you will probably find it represented in the gallery.

The Art League is working hard in 2014 to expand its service to the community by expanding its mission of education.

They will be bringing more artists into the schools to work with students and art teachers. Several county schools have strong arts programs, and the League wants to support that effort.

The League will also continue to support the artists, and plans to enhance their offerings by offering live artist demonstrations, promoting “open studio� opportunities, and other innovative opportunties in addition to the many art and music classes they currently offer at the Gallery.

The Art Gallery is located at 210 W. Bluff (Hwy. 190 west) in Woodville and is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Page 25

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Discover Tyler County 2014

Step Back Into East Texas History:

by Sandy Taylor Heritage Village, located on Hwy. 190 in Woodville, TX, hosts thousands of visitors each year from not only the surrounding area but from all the states and many foreign countries.

Visitors even fly into the Tyler County Airport with arrangements to be picked up and taken to the Village. The guest book is filled with names of repeat guests who return again and again to bring someone new to visit this unique “hands-on” museum that encourages visitors to get acquainted with buildings and artifacts that reflect pioneer life in east Texas between 1840 and 1920.

Heritage Village came into existence in the 1960’s when Clyde Gray and his wife, Bill, lived on the property in the large white

house fronting on Hwy. 190 that now houses the Railroad Museum. Clyde, an artist, had a studio in a front room of the house and Bill created a garden she called Heritage Gardens.

Not content to just sell his paintings, Gray began to add historical buildings to the land beside the white house. The first historical building that the Grays added to their Gardens was the Tolar Cabin, also known as the Tolar Kitchen. This cabin was built in Hillister, TX in 1866 by Robert Tolar. When a larger house was needed, the cabin functioned as a kitchen for travelers and neighbors. It is the only Village building with a medallion from the Texas Historical Commission.

The Justice of the Peace Office was moved to Heritage Village from Woodville; it was built in

the early 1900’s and sat behind the Rainey Hotel. It served at different times as the hotel kitchen, the hotel laundry room, and even a showroom for traveling salesmen to lay out their goods for sale. The building, donated by the Hensarling family, was moved intact to the Village.

The first Cherokee Church was established as a Methodist Congregation in 1860 in Cherokee Community, northwest of Woodville. By 1912 the building was in disrepair; it was replaced by the building that is now part of the Village.

The church was sold to a Baptist congregation in 1934. After 1986 the building was unused until 1990 when it was donated to Heritage Village. The building was taken apart, piece by piece, and reassembled at the Village. It is slightly smaller

than the original church because of space available and because some of the original materials were damaged. Each year numerous weddings are conducted in this little white church.

The Railroad Depot was built with lumber from the 1890’s railroad station in Hillister, TX. It is smaller than the original building but all the artifacts in the building are authentic 1800’s railroad items.

The cantilever barn, built around 1860, was moved to the Village from John Henry Kirby’s home in Peachtree Village.

Next to the cantilever barn is a newer pole barn used as a covered demonstration area during festivals.

The Hamm House was moved to Heritage Village after it was donated by the Hamm family of Town Bluff. It was built

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Page 27

Discover Heritage Village Museum in the early 1900’s. For many years it was used as a meeting room for some of the Village’s organizations. Two years ago it was enlarged to add a restroom and small kitchen. Currently it is occupied by Behind the Red Door, a tea room and boutique business, catering to Village visitors who want a light lunch.

The Blacksmith Shop, known as the Village Forge, was built by members of the East Texas Blacksmith Alliance in the 1990’s. This is a working forge and members of the group meet monthly to share ideas and make items for sale.

Other buildings in the Village are replicas, built to look as buildings would have looked in a small town during the time frame of 1840-1920. The “main street” is unpaved and includes the Village Vidette, a replica newspaper office; a Livery Stable; Barber Shop and Bath House; Sheriff ’s Office and Jail; Post Office; Tur-

key Creek Inn; Lawyer’s Office; Saloon; Apothecary Shop, Doctor’s Office, Seamstress Shop, Tool Room, Dentist’s Office, and Pawn Shop. The Stewart Little Red School House sits on the second level of the Village along with the chair factory, and a display of equipment used during the turn of the century in various industries.

The Railroad Museum, housed in the white house on the second level, showcases numerous trains and depicts the importance of trains to the timber industry that was so vital in the early days of Tyler County and east Texas.

The Buggy Barn was was built with lumber milled from trees downed by Hurricane Rita in 2005 to house a collection of buggies and wagons donated to Heritage Village by the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon, TX. The newest building is a Fiber Arts Building housing the Vil-

lage Sassy Scrappers, a quilters’ group and the Spinners’ and Weavers’ Guild. This building was also built with donated lumber and includes a kitchen and restrooms.

Admission to the Village for tours is through the Manie Blewett Pipkin Building, a new building that replaced an older, smaller building in disrepair.

This building houses administration offices, a large Gift Shop, two permanent exhibit rooms, and a rotating exhibit room.

The Whitmeyer Genealogy and Research Library, an excellent facility, is also located in this building. A librarian is available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and other days, with prior arrangement, to assist with research.

Beginning beside the Hamm House is the Big Woods Trail that is actually three different routes through eleven plus acres of the Big Thicket. Trails are less than a mile; trees along the

routes are marked with identifying signs.

Each year Heritage Village hosts school groups from surrounding school districts and as far away as Houston. The Village is also popular with groups of senior citizens who come from Houston, Louisiana, and surrounding areas.

Docents guide small groups through the Village telling the story of each building and the importance to pioneer life. Demonstrators are present for these tours to “show and tell” about shingle-making, blacksmithing, quilting, spinning and weaving, candle-making, and other crafts that were so important to our ancestors.

Regular admission to Heritage Village is $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Admission is through the Museum Gift Shop. Admission prices to special events vary.

The first weekend of the anContinued on page 28

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Discover Tyler County 2014

nual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in the spring is known as Festival of the Arts weekend.

Heritage Village sponsors a quilt show with displays of vintage quilts from the Museum’s collection along with old patterned, new quilts and new “art” quilts produced by members of the Sassy Scrappers Quilt Guild and other local quilters. Artists in other mediums are also represented.

Fall is a very busy time at

Heritage Village. An annual Mexican Dinner fund-raiser coincides with the opening Woodville home football game.

Closely following is a storytelling event in late September, Ghosts and Legends of Texas Past. Featuring well-known storytellers as well as local talents, this event is rapidly becoming one of the most popular “things to do”.

The largest of the fall events is the annual Harvest Festival held

on the third weekend of October. Friday of the weekend is often referred to as School Day because many schools attend to take advantage of activities including pumpkin painting, face-painting, and hoop rolling. Crafters from throughout the state come to show and sell their wares. Demonstrators instruct visitors on pioneer crafts.

Entertainment venues around the Village offer everything from cloggers and Indian hoop dancers to dulcimer and country music. Food vendors offer typical festival items for visitors who choose not to eat at the Pickett House Restaurant. As might be expected, the Village is decorated in fall décor complete with corn stalks, pumpkins and gourds, and hay bales.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving volunteers gather to decorate Heritage Village, using materials that are appropriate to the time period, to prepare for the Christmas holidays and the annual Twilight Tour of the Village held on the first Saturday evening of December. This event

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is offered free to the public as a gift from Tyler County Heritage Society for support throughout the year. Entertainment from the Village Stage, refreshment s inside the Collier Store, a visit from Santa, and a Christmas service inside the Cherokee Church make for a wonderful beginning to the holiday season.

Long-range plans include the addition of a syrup mill, lumber mill, water wheel, and whiskey still displays. A summer “living history” camp for students and a small working farm are under consideration by the Board of Directors of Tyler County Heritage Society.

Heritage Village, located on Hwy. 190 between Woodville and Livingston, is open daily from 9-5 except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The Pickett House Restaurant is also open daily.

You may call Heritage Village at (409) 283-2272 for further information, to arrange your special wedding, party, or meeting or to reserve a date for a guided Continued on page 30

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tour through the Village.

Long-range plans include the addition of a syrup mill, lumber mill, water wheel, and whiskey still displays. A summer “living history” camp for students and a small working farm are under consideration by the Board of Directors of Tyler County Heritage Society.

Heritage Village, located on Hwy. 190 between Woodville and Livingston, is open daily from 9-5 except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The Pickett House Restaurant is also open daily. You may call Heritage Village at (409) 283-2272 for further information, to arrange your special wedding, party, or meeting or to reserve a date for a guided tour through the Village.

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Page 31

New businesses bring jobs, economic opportunity

by Emily Waldrep The landsc ape of Ty ler County is changing and even in rough economic times, new businesses are starting up all over the county. The German Pellet facility is now operating, and construction continues on the Biomass facility. Both have brought jobs to Tyler County.

One of the most noticeable new businesses is Rudy ’s Convenience store and Whataburger in Woodville. Denny Oil Company, out of Nacogdoches, Texas owns the restaurant and truck stop, and offers competitive pay and a highly motivated work environment for Tyler County employees.

Three Dollar Stores are also in the process of being either built or opened across the county, including one each in Spurger, Colmesneil and Fred.

The Fred Dollar Store is expected to open within the next month, while the Colmesneil and Spurger Dollar stores are in the planning stages, but should be opened within the year.

In addition to brand new businesses, two Woodville boutiques have moved and found new homes in the Woodville area. Both Serendipity Boutique and Chicks Dig It boutique have moved to the County Courthouse square and now have big,

bright storefronts to show off the latest fashions. Chicks Dig It offers monogramming and will be opening a Tanning Salon in the future, while Serendipity offers the latest fashions at extremely affordable prices.

Warren also is booming with business, and the “ Warren Strip Mall” seems to be the hub of new businesses. The Relaxation Station Massage Parlor, Fancy Plants and Gifts, Custom Caps and Monogramming, the Shirt Shack and Family Worship Center are all located in the “mall” and are all relatively new businesses.

“Many citizens and business people have been working

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Sharon Fuller County Treasurer Tyler County, Texas

Room 100 County Courthouse

Phone (409) 283-3054

Emily Walrep Photo - Illustration/Jim Powers

hard during the past several years to build a business climate for growth and jobs in Tyler County,” said county judge Jacques Blanchette.

“Count y government has partnered with these efforts to support their activities and we will all benefit from this combined activity.”

Page 32

Discover Tyler County 2014

Emporium for the Arts, Inc. a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation

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Page 34

Discover Tyler County 2014

Emporium For The Arts...New Venue, New Opportunities

I

t has been a long time (and a lot of work) coming, but November was another watershed month for the Emporium for the Arts in Woodville. Part of a vibrant Art Community that has developed in Tyler County over the last 12 years, the Emporium held it’s first official event in it’s new facility in November, and allowed those who have been supporting the effort an opportunity to see the progress that a lot of time, hard work and support

has made possible.

One of the Tyler County Art League’s original goals was to bring not only quality visual arts to Tyler County, but a widening variety of performance art. “The Emporium For The Arts,” a separate non-profit corporation, was born a few years ago out of that effort, thanks to the tireless work of Sam Haney. Sam even gave up his own studio space in he and wife Judith’s living room where the Emporium

Theatre has been for several years!

And that’s part of the story about the birth of a new, larger Theatre in Tyler County.

For decades there has been an enduring interest in the county for Theatre and performance art.

The last major effort before the Emporium was years ago when an old movie theatre in Woodville was converted into the WoodFain Opera house, and provided great experiences for folks in Tyler County to view live theatre.

That facility eventually closed and burned down, but there was still a group of people who wanted to both participate in, and see, live theatre. The organization that ultimately became the “Emporium For The Arts” grew out of that interest.

“The seed was sown when we put together ‘Steel Magnolias,’ needed a place to perform it, and rented the Lions Den,” Judith Haney explained. “We got great reviews and great support from the community for bringing performing art and

live theatre back to Tyler County.”

There were problems, though, in making that happen because of the lack of a stable place to practice or perform. Various churches, Heritage Village, etc. let them use their space, but sets had to be constantly set up and torn down.

One day Judith and Sam were brainstorming solutions to this problem, sitting in what was then Sam’s glass studio on the lower floor of their home in Woodville.

“At some point we thought about the space we were sitting in,” Judith said.

Sam reluctantly moved all of his glass studio out of the space, “and we started playing around with community theatre.”

“Christmas Bells” was the first performance in the new “theatre.”

They built a small, 16’x15’ stage, with viewing limited by two support posts on each front corner. “It was pretty limited; but, over the last four or five years, we’ve been able to expand on it with plays like, ‘Always Patsy Cline,’ ‘Arsenic

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And Old Lace,’ and ‘On Golden Pond.’” They also added live concerts, bringing musicians in from outside the county and providing a place for local musicians to perform.

Two years ago the Emporium got the opportunity to buy the old Glass company building adjacent to the existing theatre. Finally the Emporium had its own facility, “not in Sam and Judy’s living room.” Well, they had a building, but it needed a lot of work.

Work on the theatre is progressing steadily and has been done in several phases, as the “personpower” and money has been available. The Emporium is actively raising contributions to fund the work. And while the facility is far from finished, it is now in use, offering a far larger venue.

“This time last year we had a building, and a model of what we hoped to get into our new theatre building,” Judith explained. “Because we’ve had such great support, we’ve been able to accomplish in 2013 one of the things we set out for ourselves, to have

Page 35

a bigger, larger facility that not only will allow us to put on larger productions, but would be a facility that the community could use for various things.” And they met their goal. On November 2, they had their “unofficial” coming out with a gala featuring a dinner and musical performance. “We wanted to let people see the result of what they had been a part of all these years in keeping community theatre going.”

The Emporium is looking forward to 2014, with two concerts already scheduled. The plan is to have an event at least once a month during the year.

When completed, the theatre will seat 200, but retain the flexibility to change the seating for Theatre in the Round and Dinner Theatre productions. There is still a lot of work to be done, though, and making it happen will need to be a community effort. Volunteers with expertise in building and remodeling are needed, as are materials, and direct financial contributions.

The primary fundraising effort is

First event in new Emporium Theatre—Michael Kelsey (left) and Edgar Cruz perform for the crowd at the theatre’s first event. through the “Become A Star” program. There are three levels of contribution. The Gold Star is a $500 contribution, Silver Star a $300 star, and Bronze Star a $100 star.

The stars will hang in the Theatre lobby and have the name of the contributors engraved on them.

Donations are welcomed, though, at any level and are tax deductible.

You can get more information at www.emporiumstage.org.

Or, you can mail contributions to: Emporium Stage P.O. Box 2156 Woodville, TX 75979

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Page 36

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Please join our 2014 project.

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Discover Tyler County 2014

Page 37

Tyler County Dogwood Festival A Celebration Of Spring “It’s Dogwood Time In Tyler County.” Every year, Tyler County folks have celebrated Spring for over 61 years with the Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival. This year will be the 71st time Tyler County has hosted the event. The festival, which celebrates the Dogwood Trees that can be found throughout the county, spans three weekends from mid March through early April and is enjoyed each year by thousands of visitors from all over Texas and the U.S. The Dogwood Festival was founded back in the 1940s by lifelong Tyler County resident James Edward Wheat and has been held continually since then except during World War II. This year’s event will kick off with the Festival of the Arts at Heritage Village Museum on March 21 - 23, followed by Western Weekend March 28 and 29, and the Queen’s Weekend on April 5. Plan to attend each weekend. There are always new things to see and do.

Heritage Village Museum, and downtown Woodville, is the place to start your day during the Festival of the Arts weekend. The Village, located on Hwy 190 on the Western edge of Woodville is a living reproduction of a 19th century village in Tyler County and features 19th Century buildings with displays depicting life in the county at the end of the 19th century.

A main attraction at the Village is the large showing of handmade quilts

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on display. You will also find blacksmithing demonstrations, the “Spinners and Weavers,” music of every kind, and food vendors for the hungry!

You can also visit Tyler County Art District during the Festival and watch artists in a variety of mediums at work. Be sure to take a tour of the Tyler County Art League’s gallery while you are in town.

Western Weekend always brings lots of folks to Woodville for a weekend of fun that includes a parade featuring one of the largest trail rides in the state. The riders converge on Woodville on Saturday.

The Main Event during Western Weekend, though, is two nights of Lion’s Rodeo action. Last year’s Rodeo brought out record numbers to watch some fast-paced action in the arena. The Lion’s Club, who sponsors the rodeo, promise this year will be even bigger and better. The Western Weekend Rodeo Queen is crowned during the Saturday night rodeo event.

The weekend also features vendors of every kind, from arts & crafts to all kinds of food. They are located on and around courthouse square in downtown Woodville. Bring the family and plan to spend the entire day enjoying the festivities.

Queen’s Weekend is the showcase of the three week festival. Saturday offers a full day of fun. You can spend all day shopping in the arts & crafts of every kind, enjoying the Classic Car show, and joining hundreds of folks who line W Bluff in Woodville to watch the annual Queen’s Weekend Parade.

Then you will want to head out to the amphitheater for the Queen’s Pagent and Coronation, featuring the oldest outdoor drama in the south. The event is held in a 2,500 seat outdoor venue. The 2013 Tyler County Dogwood Festival Queen will be crowned at this event, followed by a play and ending with a spectacular fireworks display.

Thanks to the hard work all year long by many volunteers, the Tyler County Dogwood Festival is a “don’t miss” opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Tyler County.

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2 Medical Center Blvd.

Lufkin 2 Medical Center Blvd.

936-634-8434 Lufkin 800-833-5777 936-634-8434

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Charles Hudson, DDS Warren Thomas, DDS Grace Garbo, DDS Sandra Culp, DDS Julie Evans-Steiner, DDS

COMPLETE FAMILY DENTISTRY Including:

Same Day Service on Dentures & Partials Orthodontics Preventive Dentistry Oral Surgery Cosmetic Dentistry Botox Juvederm DERIDDER

LEESVILLE

1-888-737-2423

1-337-238-2631

(337) 463-6545

(337) 238-3384

1808 Hwy 190 W. Suite D

706 S. 6th Street

Financing Available • Dental Insurance Welcome

800-833-5777

Se Habla EspaĂąol

Se Habla EspaĂąol

Thank You for your support.

Celebrating 21 years of comfort, compassion and care.

2014 Harvest Festival at Heritage Village

Saturday, October 18 “Don’t miss this annual weekend featuring demonstrations and historic reenactments.”

Page 42

Discover Tyler County 2014

Queen’s Weekend April 5

Tyler County Hospital

School of Vocational Nursing

(409) 283-6462

Discover Tyler County 2014

Page 43

Tyler County Hospital 1100 West Bluff • Woodville, TX • 409-283-8141

We can take care of your emergencies, hospitalization, lab, and x-rays right at home.

Call us to see what services we can provide for you.

We Want to be Your Hospital