By Dickie Dixon

Belated Birthdays  April birthdays:  April 28:  Lynn Hopper 29^th:  O. T. Haygood 30^th:  Anabel Campbell Martin, Jonnie Emerson May birthdays:  1^st: Lyle Witherell, Deanna Ashworth Craft 2^nd:  Anna Christine Neel, Sarah Calhoun Stevens

For Posterity’s Eyes May birthdays:  3^rd:  Meagan Emerson 4^th:  Mike Standifird, Patricia Basham 5^th:  Mary Baker, Melvin Brock, Sylvia Hathorn Ricks, Ireland Womack 6^th:  Dottie Lee Gottshall, Annette and Terry Elrod, Maitlyn Fleming, Carlos Fuentes 8^th:  Sandra Pouland  9^th:  Lucy Lopez, Peggy Burt, Danielle Stepehens, Peggy Monroe, Sherman Farr, Earl Mott Sandra Davila, Lerena Holloway, Marvin L. Bennett  10^th:  Jackie Dixon Lowery, Meagan Rose, Raven Anderson, Julie Courlas Wilke, Larry Ray Ellis 11^th:  John David Rowin

When It’s Mayhaw Picking Time For years and years I felt I was incomplete because I had never been to pick (or gather) mayhaws.  So, I asked my father’s brother, Uncle John (two years younger), if he knew a place we could go and gather them.  Sure enough he did.  So he and Jimmy Griggs and I went off of 103 West to the Eason Lake Hunting Club with our containers and we gathered mayhaws.  Now there are a number of methods.  (1) Spread out plastic on the ground and hit the trees and gather.  (2) Pick up what’s on the ground or (3) Use a net to dip them out of the slough, river, or creek.  We chose (1), and I was a little surprised how these men worked at it.  (The only reason it wasn’t a complete surprise was:  I had hunted doves with my father and his brothers.)

After about half a day, we drove home and, on the weekend, my wife converted those mayhaws

in to the nectar of the gods:  mayhaw jelly.  Now the closest I have ever come to the real nectar is from a lady who lives outside Milam on the way to Many, Louisiana, Jean Merritt, who produces jelly that has has to have a heavenly counterpart.  I haven’t seen her in a while, but, if any of you see or hear of her, tell her hello! for me and surrender your wallet for the best mayhaw jelly I have ever eaten.  That’s all for now about when it’s mayhaw picking time!

Save the Date (1) Saturday, May 5, 2018 Vernon Historical and Genealogical Society (VH&GS) meeting The VH&GS will hold their monthly meeting on May 5, 2018 in the meeting room of the Vernon Parish Library located at 1401 Nolan Trace, Leesville, LA.  The guest speaker will be Rev. William (Billy) Nash.  Rev. Nash will speak about his recent trip to Washington D.C. and his giving the prayer for the opening of the current session of the U. S. House of Representatives.   He is the pastor of Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church, Mangham, LA and author of two books, High Hand Sam and Battle of the Longs.   The meeting begins at 12:30PM.  All are welcome.  For more information, call (337) 239-0537.

(2) A panel discussion from among the 1963 Lufkin High School State Baseball Championship team possibly with others will discuss their 1963 season, when they speak to the Angelina County Genealogical Society at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 in the Community Meeting Room of Kurth Memorial Library on 702 South Raguet Street in Lufkin, Texas (75904).  Refreshments and desserts will begin at 3:30.  For more information, call Dickie Dixon at (936) 240-8378, or e-mail him at dickie.dixon@hotmail.com

(3) Bob Flournoy will discuss “The Sawmill Community of Manning,” when he speaks to the Angelina County Genealogical Society at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall of Keltys United Methodist Church on 1867 Old Mill Road in Keltys, Texas (now a part of Lufkin [75904]) For more information, please contact Rev. Cindy Doran at (936) 852-4123 or Dickie Dixon at (936) 240-8378, or email Cindy atkeltysumc@hotmail.com or Dickie at dickie.dixon@hotmail.com

(4) A request from the author:  On Saturday, April 21, 2018 I spoke on “Where the Houses Went” at the Camden Sawmill Reunion in Camden, Texas at Pine Grove Baptist Church. If you or your family rented one of the sawmill houses or know someone who did, or you or your family bought one of the sawmill houses or know someone who did, please contact me at (936) 240-8378 or dickie.dixon@hotmail.com  I understand some of the houses may have been torn down.

For book reviews/notices please send a complimentary copy to Kissin’ Kuzzins P. O. Box 151001 Lufkin TX 75915-1001

Send your queries to Kissin’ Kuzzins P. O. Box 15-1001 Lufkin TX 75901 by email to dickie.dixon@hotmail.com or by phone to (936) 240-8378