Bob Bowman simply calls himself a collector. He collects East Texas trivia, historic murders, good ol’ boy expressions, home remedies, ghost towns, and the “bests” of whatever East Texas offers.

Texas Monthly, in fact, calls him Texas’ best collector of Texas bests. He and his wife Doris are the author of 40 books on East Texas history and folklore, and four others in the works. Bob also writes a history column for about 70 East Texas newspapers and is the great-great-great grandson of an Alamo defender. He is a current member of the Texas Historical Commission, past president of the East Texas Historical Association, and past member of both the Texas Sesquicentennial Commission and the Texas Capitol Centennial Commission.

He also manages the Pineywoods Foundation, which funds charitable projects in small towns in East Texas, and he and Doris are the only husband-wife team to serve as president of the Texas Council for the Humanities. Bob spoke on “things you might not know about East Texas if you hadn’t attended this meeting.”

The Jacksonville Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Sadler’s Kitchen. For more information regarding the rotary club, contact Dick Stone, president, at 903-586-1471 or e-mail richard.stone@lpl.com.



Local Beta Alpha chapter members plan for 75th anniversary of organization

Members of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma met on Monday, Dec. 1, at Donna MeCown’s home. Beta Alpha President Susan Vierkant welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order.

Donna’s home was beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. The collect was read by Linda Brown. Delicious refreshments of turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings were served by hostesses Jane Smith, Donna McCown, Myra Glass, and Linda Ezell.

In old business, the minutes from the November meeting were approved as presented by Recording Secretary Dianna Smith. Sandra Slawson gave the treasurer’s report.

A big thank you to Renee Todd for compiling the yearbook.

Membership rosters, a copy of the collect, and new information was given to Beta Alpha members.

The chapter’s newest members also received their yearbooks. President Vierkant thanked Shannon Hansel and Tena Comte for sharing their memoirs in the December newsletter. Two other members will share their stories in the next newsletter. Thank you again to Tonya Watson for the great newsletter.

In new business, President Vierkant announced that the Beta Alpha chapter would be celebrating its 75th birthday with a reception on Monday, March 9, 2009, at 5 p.m. in the commons area of the Jacksonville First United Methodist Church. Former members will be invited to attend the event as well as distinguished guests from the community and state. Area I

Coordinator, Rita Curington, will be in attendance and Mayor Robert Haberle will be asked to speak. Beta Alpha members will serve cake and punch to the guests.

Scrapbooks will also be on display from past years.

The next meeting of the Beta Alpha chapter will be on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at 6 p.m. at Traditions in Tyler. This meeting will be a joint meeting with Lambda Phi. Linda Granberry and Tonya Watson will be in charge of decorations.

The Founder’s Day brunch with Lambda Phi will be on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

An ornament exchange was enjoyed by the members through the story of Tiny Tim read by President Vierkant. The meeting was adjourned.



Ladies with Hat-titude throw Christmas party

Ladies with a Hat-titude met Dec. 6 at the home of Mary Woolery in Jacksonville for the monthly meeting and Christmas party.

Members present were 13 and one guest. Members included Queen Judy Batton, Sandra Bolton, Barbara Sexton, Lori McClosky, Polly Shofner, Mary Woolery, Beverly Jimerson, Jean Allen, Lawanda Ellis, Parsy Boyd, Linda Jones, B.J. McCauley, Mary Reynolds. Guest was Cathi Reed, daughter of Mary W.

Members enjoyed the beautiful decorated home with all the many items that had been collected from different countries Mary had visited and each room had a different holiday color.

Members were dressed in purple attire and red hats except B.J. who was the birthday red hatter and was in red attire and purple hat.

Lunch was served with all the trimmings and pictures taken and members exchanged gifts.

Next meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 3.



Mothers of Preschoolers group enjoy craft day

Jacksonville MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) met on Dec. 3 and had Craft day. The group made beautiful wall art for their homes. We also played a “Who has...Christmas edition” game and the winner was Angela Hoffpauir.

She recieved a goodie basket of hot chocolate, coffee mugs and marshmallows. Our door prize winner was Kyla Chandler, who received the “Go Fish” CD, signed by members of the band.

Members will meet again for our Christmas party on Dec. 17 and exchange ornaments and have more fellowship!



Car dealership owner talks to Rusk Lions Club

Rusk Lions Club Vice President Lion Artys Brown called the Nov. 4 meeting to order. Lion Tim Timmons gave the invocation, Lion Jim Cromwell led the pledges and Lion Jim Richings led the singing.

Special guests were Greg James, Doug Byfield, Norma Daniel and Boots Burfoot.

Reports were given of the progress made on Project Dream Tree and raffle ticket sales on groceries for Christmas.

Lion Tail Twister Tim Timmons gave a pop quiz on what each letter stood for in L.I.O.N.S, and fined 25 cents each who did not know the answer. Norma Daniels reported on her husband, Lion Ike’s health. He has improved and he might be able to join us at a Lions meeting in the near future.

Greg James spoke to the club on why he recently changed from selling new cars and trucks, to motor scooters, motor bikes and four wheelers. It was because the car business nationwide is very poor, and gasoline is so much higher. There was a day when nearly every family had a car and a truck and make short necessary trips to the store, post office, town or courthouse, etc.

It’s much cheaper to ride a motor scooter or motor bike than a car or truck, he said.

Greg James came to Rusk in 1995 by buying Isaacs Chevrolet and motor company. Prior to that he bought an agency in Nacogdoches in 1985. He actually started the new and used car business in Houston in 1980.

At one time he owned two agencies in Nacogdoches and two in Rusk at the same time. He really is proud of his 22 employees, who have been with him for several years, and by keeping a motor business in operation he does not have to lay off any of them. He plans to continue his used car automotive and parts business.