Inside this issue:

East Texas News

Editors View 2

People and Places 3

Commentary 4

Sports 5

Business World 6

Advertisement 7

Hollywood’s News 8

“A Public Trust”

Founded January 2010

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!”

Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

VOL. 2 - NO. 11-12 SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 groves.standard@yahoo.com 50 CENTS

Groves Standard

Obama in 2012--He’s Earned the Right To Four More!

Just Kicking Up Dust? Wrong Answer!

By Billy “Hollywood” Groves, CEO At the time of writing this article, I’m just beginning to see the “Obama in 2012” presidential signs appearing. After three of the most gratifying years of my life, I realize that we (the voters) have to go in 2012 and do it all again. While it has been a great ride for the people who believe in President Obama and his agenda, the folks on the “other side” of the political spectrum have been anything but gratified with the administration of our 44th President of the United States. Although, I somewhat under-stand the discomfort that the GOP party and people who don’t like Presi-dent Obama have felt these past years, I have a hard time finding sym-pathy for those individuals consider-ing their party and its supporters, put America in the bad shape it was in when President Obama took office. Further, to date the “other side” has offered no legitimate workable solu-tions or plans for America’s future success. President Obama was

By Dr. Ianthia Fisher

At first glance it looks like a cou-ple of tractors out for a little “tractor fun”, but if you could view the “whole” picture you would know that this is the equivalent of the “Cavalry” for local community members in Hopewell and surrounding communi-ties who were victims of the wildfires that plagued the state of Texas for several months. It was really fasci-nating to observe these master crafts-men at work fighting fires by creating barriers. With the world literally on fire around them, they were cool, calm, and efficient. Watching them at work with their giant machinery, I truly learned the value of a fire line. I would never have though it could make such a difference in controlling

and directing the path of a major fire. Having observed them, I’m a liv-ing witness to the power of the fire lane. While the aftermath of the many fire lanes may not be a pretty sight, and usually require some man-ual labor in the act of fence and ground repairs, it should be noted that the work needed to repair the fire lane damage is a small price to pay for the great service received. Fur-thermore, those of us who benefited from their efforts are forever grateful to these many brave firefighters, law enforcement, and support staff that continually put their lives on the line to serve and protect. May God richly bless each and every one of these outstand-ing community servants!

Texas Forest Service Fire Fighters at work keeping fires behind fire lanes.

President Obama 2012 Presidential Election Signs are Officially Out!

handed the reins to a government which had been broken financially and diplomatically for years due to incompetent leadership. He under-stood the enormous task he was fac-ing and the challenges that awaited

him in 2008, but like a true leader, he took a bad situation and made it signifi-cantly better. When I saw that first “Obama in 2012” presidential sign it made me feel good. It confirmed in my mind

what I always thought about Presi-dent Barack Obama—he’s the right man for eight years in the White House. The people who really and truly love America want the person best qualified to lead our nation to be our President. Based on President Obama’s outstanding performance and exemplary accomplishments un-der the extreme circumstances to which he has been subjected, he clearly deserves four more years in the White House. The fact that he nearly singlehandedly pulled our Country back from the precipice of economic collapse, along with all of the hard-fought progress he has made on the domestic front as well as on the world stage , certainly earned him that right! Let’s all go to the polls in 2012 and give this re-markable man the four more years he needs to finish setting America on a sustainable, successful path to a bright future. We owe it to our chil-dren and to our Country. God Bless America!

Christmas, in its most vivid em-bodiment, is the collective memory of a series of trips taken from Galveston to East Texas, to visit my grandmoth-er on Christmas day. As a child, eve-rything about these annual family pilgrimages from the city to the coun-try was part of an enchanted ritual. We always embarked upon our ad-ventures during the mystical time of “before-day-in-the morning”, a phrase my mother (Earlie Groves) and grandmother used to denote the pre-dawn hours. It is an expression which still evokes memories of a pleasant flurry of activity where gifts were hurriedly claimed, humdrum presents like sweaters and coats quickly discounted, and REAL gifts opened and exclaimed joyously. There were six of us and usually we each received only a few REAL pre-sents. For my four sisters (Ianthia, Victoria, Brenda, Ruth) and me, the “biggie” was a doll. For my brother (Billy “Hollywood” Groves) it was toy g u n s a n d w e s t e r n g e a r . (Unfortunately for him, my mother later had second thoughts about buy-ing guns and switched to buying model cars and such). Even as a child my brother was never at a loss

for creative expressions; he demon-strated his concern over this new de-velopment by neatly aligning his toys on the oven rack and roasting them into unique configurations of blis-tered, black plastic. This must have happened later, however, because at the time of the trips, everyone was ecstatic about their gifts, eager to get going, and busy scurrying about their rooms to collecting last minute neces-sities—a yoyo, a toy hair brush, a school photograph for grandmother. Finally, we were ready. A light

See A Crockett...Memory Page 6

A Crockett Christmas Memory

By Dr. Helen King

PAGE 2 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Opinion / Outlook

Parent Leadership Union of Texas Inc. Safe Guarding the Legal Rights of Children and Families

Lester Houston President & CEO

P.O. Box 4012 Houston, Texas 77210-4012 281– 224-4360

The Advocates

houstonlester14@yahoo.com www.plutt.org

14710 Hiram Clarke ▪ Houston, TX 77053

(713) 885-4337 / (713) 885-3442 (832) 364-0632

Let Us Host Your Next Event! Victoria Groves Essien, Owner

First Things First

By Dr. Ruth Watson, GS President

Many parents would agree that the need for special education advo-cacy in public schools grows more and more each day. An advocate is simply a person who is knowledgea-ble about the laws and regulations governing special education and who is willing to help parents/guardians get the best possible outcome for their child in a special education pro-gram. Despite the resources and tools provided to public schools, many Texas school districts are not consistently providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (mandated by federal law) to all students with disabilities. Over the years, I have attended thousands of ARDs (Admission, Re-view and Dismissal meetings for stu-dents who receive or have been test-ed for special education services). I estimate that over 70% of those ARDs had at least one regulating (Code of Federal Regulations) viola-tion identified in them. Most fall into two categories: 1) The IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is not being fully implemented 2) Parents’ procedural rights are often violated during the planning and execution of the ARD meeting.

Special Education Help: Is an Advocate Right for Me?

Many school districts do provide appropriate, comprehensive special education services, but it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child is obtaining the maximum educational benefit. Parents must be well- equipped to manage their child’s special education program and the assistance of an experienced advocate can make all the difference. One key goal of advocacy is to help parents become equal partners in the process of planning their child’s education. I have observed that parents who are well-educated regarding their parental rights and other federal regulations-also known as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)- are able to work more effectively with school staff to secure an optimal educational plan for their child. I strongly encourage parents who are unfamiliar with the ARD process to have a special edu-cation advocate accompany them to their child’s initial ARD meeting. An advocate can assist the parent with preparing for the discussion regard-ing the child’s eligibility, and can help the parent ask questions and help determine what services will be pro-vided. If you have doubts about your ability to communicate your concerns about your child A good rule of thumb is- “Don’t go to an ARD without your Advocate Guard.” A good general listing of the kinds of resources avail-able to parents can be found on the Texas Organization of Parents Attor-n e y s a n d A d v o c a t e s a t : http://www.topaa.org/resources.html. For additional resource infor-mation about this topic, contact me at: advocate.guard@yahoo.com.

Dr. Ruth Watson, Special Education Advocate and President of GSN

802 Cottonwood Street Crockett, Texas 75835

Owner: Dorothy Johnson

Experiencing Your Best Christmas Ever! By Dr. Ianthia Fisher

For many people the holiday sea-son is filled with sadness. Often there are legitimate reasons for their unhap-piness. The loss of a loved one, fi-nancial troubles, relationship prob-lems, loneliness, unemployment, fear of the future, health problems—the reasons are as numerous and as per-sonal as each individual involved. The bottom line is that, seemingly, everywhere one turns during this sea-son, particularly in the media, there are scenes of joyful people, evident prosperity, rampant materialism, and ruthless commercialism emphasizing and advertising “the next new thing” one needs in order to be happy and enjoy life. The truth of the matter is that there is only one thing necessary in order to make one’s life complete. That one thing necessary is a relation-ship with Jesus Christ! Could it really be that easy to get all of your needs met, no matter what they are? Yes, Yes, and Yes! Jesus is the answer no matter what the problem. In fact, Jesus, himself, has promised to meet every need of those who accept him. This includes physi-cal, spiritual, and mental/emotional needs. He also promised that he would not keep back any good gift from the ones who believe in him. Over 2,000 years ago, the world was given the greatest gift ever! The gift of God’s Son is the only gift that meets and exceeds every expectation we can ever have. All that is neces-

sary to have all the resources you need to live the “good” life in this holi-day season, or in any other season, is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died to give anyone (who believes in Him) access to every “good and perfect” gift. Open up your heart and ask Him in to be Lord of your Life. Think of Him as the Center-piece of this season and as the begin-ning of having all that you need for the rest of your life. What do you have to lose except all of the lack, the sadness, and miss-ing pieces in your current situation? I challenge you to trust Him, to try Him, to do it now! It sounds almost too sim-ple and almost too good to be true. All you have to do is believe on Him in your own heart as the Son of God, and to confess out loud with your mouth that God raised him from the dead, and He will come in and bring with Him everything you will ever need. If you have accepted Him al-ready and do not feel His provision, try moving Him into the center of eve-ry area of your life and watch how brightly He will shine for you. Happy Birthday Jesus! Happy birthday to you (whoever invites Je-sus into his or her life as the central gift)! If you don’t have one, buy your-self an easy-to-understand translation of the New Testament Bible and begin to read about all the promises of Jesus and all the blessings that are coming your way. This truly will be your best, most joyous Christmas ever!

People & Places

PAGE 3 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

. . . When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Isaiah 59:19 (KJV)

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Sis. Demetrial Dickie, Minister of Music Honored in Appreciation Service

Local Messengers of God and First Ladies

Superintendent Kurt Thompson and First Lady Kimberly Thompson, Pastor and wife of Hampton Memorial Church of God In Christ, Crockett, Texas .

Rev. Winston Spenser and First Lady Mattie Spenser; Proud Pastor and Wife of the New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Crockett, Texas .

Rev. Bobby Carwell Sr. and First Lady. Linda Carwell, Pastor and Wife of St. Andrew AME Church, Crockett, Cele-brate their 1st year Appreciation Service

Rev. Billy Reece and First Lady Jesselyn Reece; Proud Pastor and Wife of The Bethana Baptist Church, Flint, Texas.

Rev. Earl Harris and First Lady YLaVern Harris, celebrated 8 years of service in 2011 to the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Crockett, Texas.

Rev. Robert Thompson and First Lady Linda Thompson, celebrated 5 Years of Service to the Mr. Zion Baptist Church of Grapeland, Texas in 2011.

Mr. Arthur “Buddy” Atchison, Jr., the father of Dr. Delvin Atchison, Pas-tor of Antioch Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, prepares for his 90th birthday celebration held Saturday, December 10th in Hearne, Texas. The Celebra-tion was hosted by his children and family. We all wish him a Blessed 90th Birthday and many more!

Happy Birthday, “Buddy!” Much Love to You!

Rev. Larry Mouton, Jr. and First Lady Reba Mouton, Proud Pastor and Wife of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. 2011 marked their 1st year Anniversary.

Longtime church musician, Sis. Demetrial Dickie, who is a member of the talented Marshall family, was re-cently recognized by her church and the local community for 22 years of dedicated service to the New Pleas-ant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Winston Spenser Pastor, and the entire church community. Family, friends, Pastors and colleagues were given an opportunity to share well wishes during the appreciation ser-vice. Great words of encourage-ment and thanks were showered on the honoree who was well de-

serving of it all. We are truly grateful for her gift of a “Spirit-filled Ministry of Music” that she willingly shares with everyone. Sis. Dickie is the daughter of Dessie Marie Marshall-Baylone and the Late Rev. Edward Marshall and the proud wife of Deacon Marcus Dickie. She has two lovely daughters, MarKayla and Maiya. It is our prayer that God continues to richly bless her and her ministry.

Sis. Demetrial Dickie, “Honoree” and husband Deacon Marcus Dickie.

Head Start Hosts Red Ribbon Week

HEB Buddy , Mayor Mask, Dr. Fisher, Head Start Staff, parents and students re-leased balloons for Red Ribbon Day.

Commentary PAGE 4 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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Recently, the landowners associ-ation of Texas held its’ 27th annual conference in Crockett, Texas. This year’s focus was to provide as much vital information possible to ensure future generations of black farmers will possess the knowledge to wisely use the land to its maximum capacity, since it is among nature’s most treas-ured resources. To accomplish its goals, the Association expressed its good fortune at being able to work with the U.S. Agricultural department, Texas Agricultural Department and other professional organizations that can help the farmers and ranchers further their goals as landowners. This year’s conference was enti-tled,”Production Agricultural Land Is a Valuable Asset: Succession Planning for the Next Generation”. Representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture who participated in the affair were as fol-lows: National Resources Conserva-tion Service, Farm Service Agency, Agri-life Extension Agency, Agricultur-al Research Services and Agricultural Census Bureau, USDA Office of Ad-vocacy and Outreach, Office of Rural

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Music Scene Masters By Billy “Hollywood” Groves ,CEO “Mad Kat” Update Stephon “Snagg” Harris of Hou-ston, an original member of the first Crockett Rap Group “Mad Kat”, told me about the latest news on the Mad Kat Reunion. Stephon said he and Buddha Ali Shaw of Hope, Arkansas, another original Mad Kat member, are working out the details of the re-union. If you want to see Mad Kat’s most successful Rap music video, you can go on the internet to U Tube, locate Mad Kat and type in “No More Time”. Stephon said Mad Kat is part of the culture of rap and they are go-ing to bring that culture back. I asked Stephon what advice he had for youngsters who are trying to become successful in the rap business. “You have to believe in what you are do-ing, you have to live your dreams, you have to grow your morals and you have to totally understand that this rap business is a movement.” Stephon went on to say, “People don’t believe in their dream anymore, that’s the problem.” He credits his parents, Mary Harris Strange, James “Chumbly” Strange, and William “Took” Harris of Crockett with being his main role models. In addition to Stephon, the other original members of Mad Kat are, Philip “Buddha Ali” Shaw, Jerry “Hype” Johnson, Freddy “H-Town” Rodgers and J.B. Other members who have performed with Mad Kat are Joseph “Joe Guns” Senegal, Billy “Hollywood” Groves, Shereka Bolton, Bobby Cook and Stacey Riggins.

Buddha Ali host New Internet Show Former Mad Kat Rapper “Buddha Ali” of Hope, Arkansas has a new internet Radio music talk show on Rich Kid Radio, where he features the music of up-and-coming rappers like Confetti, Brick the Future, Agent

99, Amp and the Concrete Cowboys and many others. Buddha is often assisted by guest D.J’s such as Mike Jones, AKA “Heavy Love,” and other interesting people. You can reach Buddha on his show at 323.410.0101 after 4:30 p.m.

Dr. Helen King’s New Radio Program Kudos go out to Dr. Helen King, a retired school administrator, dedi-cated educator, and community lead-er in Huntsville, Texas. who recently started a new radio program! Dr. King, who also serves as Senior Edi-tor of the Groves Standard Newspa-per, is featured on 1st and 3rd Sunday mornings on KHVL radio “The Hits” in Huntsville. The Program, “Grace To Help Ministries” is sponsored by the Groves Educational Foundation, Inc. You can listen online at ksam1017.com; contact her at grace_to_help@yahoo.com; and follow on twitter at @grace_to_help. Dr. King and husband, George King, also a retired administrator, attend Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church where The Reverend Mi-chael C. Davis, Sr. is Pastor. Keep up the good work Dr. King!

See Music Scene Page 5

Development and Federation of Southern Cooperative of East point, Georgia. All were present to assist conference participants by providing information helpful in accomplishing goals set for the organization. The highlight of the affair was the attendance and main speaker for the event, the Honorable Dr. Joe Leon-ard, Jr., noted civil rights lawyer who is Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, United States Department of Agricul-ture, Washington D.C. This is the second year Dr. Leon-ard has addressed the group, he not-ed his appearance as a speaker at the conference was also a coming home affair due to the fact that his father, Joe Leonard Sr., was a native of the Porter Springs community, with many relatives still living in the Crock-ett-Porter Springs-Cedar Branch-Grapeland areas. He delivered a wealth of information and leads to other resources which make for a successful farming and ranching op-erations based on civil rights and oth-er due process measures. Added attractions to the Confer-ence were presentations by students from Prairie view A&M University, Prairie View, Texas. These were stu-dents majoring in various aspects of agriculture who used slide shows and other visuals to share what agriculture means to their futures in agriculture, and its importance to America and the world. Each year, a highlight of the affair is a “Farmer of The Year” Awards Banquet. The speaker for this year was Dr. Alton Johnson, Associate Dean for the School of Agriculture

See Land Owners Conf...Page 6

Comedian Charles Allen takes a few minutes to reminisce with cousin J.J. Taylor during a recent visit to Crockett.

Sports

PAGE 5 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Congratulations Football Teams!

By Billy “Hollywood” Groves, CEO

Congratulations go out to the Crockett High Bulldogs football team for their excellent season finishing up with 11 wins and 2 defeats. The Dogs played inspired football all year and we (the fans) got to enjoy their journey. We also commend the Lovelady Lions football team for their unbeliev-able season.

Depend on us…

To provide quality medical care close to home.

For a physician referral or more information on the

programs available through ETMC Crockett, call the ETMC HealthFirst line at

1-800-648-8141 or Visit on the web at www.etmc.org.

East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System

Terry Cutler, Administrator ● Crockett , TX

Music MastersMusic Masters

CONTINUE FROM PAGE 4

Local Music Highlights: Elbert Wayne “Bev the Barber” Johnson of Huntsville, owner of the Dead End Barbershop in Huntsville, along with his brothers Brandon “Boo” and Untwaun Johnson are still doing their “musical thing”. Popular rappers “Big Pokey” of Houston were the lat-est performers Bev and the Johnson Boys promoted in concert at Club Liz-ards in Huntsville. Our condolences go out to Bev and his brothers on the recent death of their grandmother, Veita Mae Johnson of Crockett, a great lady who left a great legacy. Special thanks go out to Rob T. Turner of Houston and Marie Thomp-son of Dallas for their insight and technological direction provided to the Groves Standard. Crockett Rapper Tre 57 told me he had a new CD that he is working hard on to finish. Tre 57 also told me about his father, Minister Dave Dirden of Longview, who recently went to Chicago to meet with Oprah Winfrey about his new book. We are wishing Tre 57 and his father all the success in the world. High fives go out to Chris “C-Dub” Martinez, Joseph Bowie and Joseph “Joe Guns” Sengal of Crockett who

performed magnificently at the Beat King Concert in Crockett hosted by the Johnson Boys last month. Kudos go out to Chip Francis, Shorty Murray, Maceo Mask, George “DBG” Johnson, Lil Dirty Sherman, Kevin “K Wool” Woolbright, T. Shep, K.B. Lamb, Youngest in Charge, Hit Squard Billionaires, Gangster One, Cyrus Johnson, Marvin “Bumpy” Johnson, Vernon “ Jiggie” Mosley, Tro, Bubba Love, Cam Ward, Michael Reese, J Dawg, Lil Flip and Tony Henry.

Comedian Charles Allen, AKA Charles Burney of Los Angeles, CA is an up and coming comedian. He was home in Crockett, Texas visiting with family and friends including Groves Standard CEO Billy “Hollywood” Groves.

The Return of

Crockett’s First Rap Group Members:

Phillip ”Buddha” Shaw, Stephon “Snag” Harris, Jerry :Hype” Johnson, Freddie “H-town” Rodgers, Joseph “Joe Guns” Senegal, &

Billy “Hollywood” Groves

Dr. Ianthia Fisher of Crockett and husband Police Chief Jimmy Fisher

A tribute to Minister Dr. Ianthia Fisher, for her “Unwavering Contribu-tions in Achievement” was recently hosted by Jesselyn Reese, President of the East Minister’s Wives and Wid-ows Circle, along with family and friends of the honoree. The festivities included a formal dinner, a dessert reception and program. The program theme was taken from Luke 12:48, “for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”. Dr. Fisher, a Christian and a licensed Minster who retired after many years of service in educational administra-tion, has dedicated her life, her life’s work, and her soul to God. She ex-pressed that the motivating forces in her life are her commitments to God, family, community and education. Dr. Fisher is the wife of Crockett Police Chief Jimmy Fisher and the mother of three accomplished adult children, Chris, Margeaux and Crys-tal, (all of whom were present at the

tribute to their mother) and her “precious” grandson, Jaydan. The tribute was in recognition of her re-tirement from the Crockett Independ-ent School District after 30 years of career service and in honor of the many years of community service she has generously rendered. She expressed that she is excited about her future and the numerous plans she has. Many of them, she says, will center on her ministry and on the Groves Educational Foundation, a nonprofit Corporation founded by the Groves Family in 1996 in which she serves as CFO and a founding Board member. Fisher proudly states that she is driven by her devotion to God and believes one should “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all his righteousness”, while embracing the principle: “to whom much is given, much is required.” Best Wishes to Dr. Fisher for a wonderful retirement!

Dr. Ianthia Fisher Feted At Retirement Dinner and Celebration

Dr. Thelma Douglass was recently named to the 2011 Crockett Bulldog Ring of Honor. She poses with Ralph J. Bunche Alumni Shirley Sue Murray.

Business World

PAGE 6 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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CONTINUE FROM PAGE 4 and Human Sciences, Prairie View, A&M University. Selected by their peers for this year’s honor were Mr. Herbert Wooten and wife Mrs. Eloise Wooten who operate a 300 plus acre cattle operation near Crockett. They were accompanied by their children who were in attendance to help cele-brate the honor bestowed upon their parents. Also present were many members of the Crockett and Hou-ston County Community.

400 E.

Bell Street

Crockett, Texas

Owner: Lee A. Young

Land Owners Conference

Deacon Demond Denman an out-standing father, spiritual and commu-nity leader, role model, and athlete, was recently recognized for his ser-vice and commitment to the Friend-ship Baptist Church by Pastor Oscar Henderson and church. Bro. Denman is truly a gift to our community. His attitude of service and voice of en-couragement resounds throughout the city. His daily life serves as a “tribute” to his parents and epitomizes the Christian values which they wholeheartedly embraced and in-

stilled in him. Congratulations!

Demond Denman and Rev. Henderson

Lois Ball is all smiles as she shares her thoughts about retirement. She says she is really enjoying it, but that there is so much more to be done. One of the things she wants to do is to address an area of communi-ty service that is dear to her heart— supporting our local veterans. Lois shared plans to partner with the Groves Foundation on a special pro-ject involving local veterans. She believes that with her training in com-munity service and the Foundation’s commitment to education, a collabo-rative community referral/support group could be formed to promote reintegration and family support of our vets returning to the community. The Groves Foundation is also planning a veteran’s memorial garden as part of its onsite additions to the property. The joint plans are a work in progress and community input is welcomed.

Longtime Civic Leader Lois Ball Makes Plans to Support Local Veterans

Please feel free to share any re-lated thoughts, suggestions, or con-cerns with Lois Ball or Dr. Ianthia Fisher.

God Bless all of our veterans and God Bless America!!

Crockett Christmas Memory CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

was left on in the hall. Windows were checked and doors locked. Going out onto the front porch amid the cold, semi-darkness, we breathed the fa-miliar salt air wafting from the Gulf. Before-day-in-the-morning air was different, somehow perfect for adven-ture. Street lights dotting Broadway shone vaporously over the oleander bushes making them look like shrouded Christmas trees. At Gasoline Alley on 29th street, the attendant who wiped the back windshield smiled at us through a montage of neon letters and numbers reflected in the glass, while my dad ( the late Oscar ”Son” Groves) walked around the car checking the tires. In the back seat I hugged my new baby doll with its pouting mouth, curly hair and overstuffed body, deeply inhaling the freshness of dim-pled plastic and pleated nylon. The next event of moment would be crossing the causeway, the elevat-ed bridge that linked the Island to the mainland. In the 1950s, a section of the causeway could be raised to al-low large ships to pass through the channel and out into the Gulf. If we were really lucky, we might be in for an exciting 15-20 minute wait as a big ship or barge leisurely passed be-

tween the two raised sections of the bridge. The suspended inclines al-ways appeared poised at the perfect angle for slides in giant amusement park. If we were unlucky enough to have a lackluster crossing, there was still the rearview panorama of the Island’s myriad lights seen from the mainland above the shining black water. Goodbye lights, water, Galveston! Our next enterprise lay just ahead in Texas City where fires from the oil refineries thrust their bright orange tongues through Roman can-dle cylinders into darkness and chemical plants stank abominably. The odors never failed to elicit com-ments from my brother accusing us all of gross lapses in etiquette and personal hygiene. Obligatory pro-tests were customarily disregarded. Houston loomed north along U.S 75, past the marshy areas and the unlighted stretches of highway. Al-ways dressed in its nocturnal best, we fully appreciated Houston’s flash-ing billboards, too-tall buildings and splendid neon signs that performed marvelous duties. My favorite was a giant bottle of Coke that continuous-ly tilted its long neck to pour a lumi-nous flow into a never-filled glass. Somewhere, between the out-skirts of Houston and the approach to Conroe, sleep claimed me. I usu-ally didn’t wake up until we reached Huntsville where my father always stopped at the Billups Gas sta-tion on 11 th Street, to check the car and the kids. “Who has to go?” he’d ask. The answer was standard—“Meeeee!” times six. The station also featured huge, stuffed animals dangling from the ceiling, out-of-harm’s way but teasingly near. Invariably we tried to

talk our parents into buying one. “Just one, we’ll share it. Puh-leeease!” We took turns lobbying for the cause, peti-tioning both courts, and alternating spokespersons as we went to the re-stroom in shifts. Our parents never fell for it. They were probably having flashbacks of the free-for-all that took place when we “shared” in the selec-tion of a television channel, the fingers slammed in the car doors when we “shared” the seat by the windows, or the near-drownings at the beach when we “shared” the family float. Amid groans of protest and disappointment, my father pulled out of the station and turned toward Highway 19 on the road to Trinity and the BRIDGE! If I fell asleep before the big event, I could count on the loud static form the car radio to awaken me as we passed under the awesome steel umbrella suspended over the Trinity River. Another snooze was in order. There was nothing to see in Trinity or Lovelady. Anyway, my mother would awaken us when we were almost there. Near the four-mile roadside park, the call came, just in time for us to experience the deep curve we knew had once been the scene of a terrible wreck. We held our breath in anticipa-tion as we rounded the curve. Too bad, nothing happened! We turned our attention to the task at hand. Has-ty attempts at restorative grooming ensued. We palm-pressed our dress-es, brushed our hair the wrong way, and managed to smooth the dolls’ clothing which always fared better than ours. Often pandemonium over misplaced items erupted briefly. Oth-er times when our pent-up anticipa-tion became almost unbearable, there were interesting outlets. On one such occasion, my sister, Brenda, in a cathartic outburst , took the hot, cigarette lighter from the outlet in the back seat of the car and branded my arm. (The cir-cle framed my vaccination scar for years). Suddenly, we were there, in Crockett, where grandmother lived on Cedar Street. A red dirt lane, a neat yard and a Chinaber-ry tree loaded with ammunition marked the spot! We hit the door, all talking at once and tak-ing in everything at a glance. It was all there—Grandma Pal (Palmetta Marshall), Grandpa “Buddy” (Silas Marshall), the promising smells, the tree, our cousins. Everybody and everything! As with so many undertakings in life, getting there was half the fun. Wherever “there” may be for you this Christmas, remember to enjoy the journey and to celebrate Jesus Christ, the true Centerpiece of the Season. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year from the Groves Standard Family!

Lois Ball, Community Supporter

Deacon Demond Denman “Recognized”

PAGE 7 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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Billy “Hollywood” Groves Founder / Chairman / CEO

Groves Standard Newspaper

Dr. Helen King . . . . . . . . Senior Editor Dr. Ruth Watson . . . . . . President / Editor Dr. Ianthia Fisher . . . . . . Managing Editor Victoria Essien, M Ed.. . . Cultural /Arts Dr. Brenda Atchison. . . . Business Manager Minister Earlie Groves. . . Religion / Writer Rev. Oscar Henderson . . Religion/ Writer

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Hollywood’s News

PAGE 8 Groves Standard SEPTEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Around the State and Nation

East Texas

SHOUT OUTS !

President Barack Obama, Dr. Ruth Watson, Harry Jackson, Norman and Linda white, The Groves Stand-ard, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. R.C. Emanuel, Quanell X, ETMC, Chester Crawford, the Late Darius Kitchen, The Late Smith Gardner, Edwin Da-vis, Rev. Tom Franklin, “Too Tall” Mil-ler, The Pink Family, Dr. Ianthia Fish-er, Royce ”Doc” Craft, Patsy Barney, Rob T. Turner, The Neel Family, Earl Joseph Sorrell, James Smith (Palestine), James “Shug” Smith, Earl “Buck” McCullough and Family, Dar-rell and Brenda Smith, Lela Wheeler, Roy Johnson, Karen Johnson, Lonnie Elem, Rev. and Sis. Elliott Reagans, The late Freddie Marshall, Roy and Shirley Molonson, “Bev the Barber” Johnson, Mrs. Huffmaster, Crockett Public Library, Gloria Wooten, Elmer and Sue Murray, Deacon “Took” Har-ris, Rev. and Sis. Shannon Harris, Rev. Larry and Sis. Mouton, The Crockett High Football Team, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Simpson, Lavordick “Big Boris” Satterwhite, Untwaun Johnson, Brandon “Boo” Johnson, Bridgette Lamb, Judge Sara Clark, Sonny and Muhamad Asiff, Mike Harrell, Rev. and Sis. Littleton, Kevin Smith, the Q.D. Purvis Family, Charles Holmes, The Bolton Family, Martin and Victoria Essien Family, Pam McKnight and the McKnight Family, Eugene “The Hitting Machine” Lockhart, Chester Houston, Earl Wayne “Tick” Jones, R.B. Jones, Brother Nathan Gardner, Mad Kat, Youngest In Charge, Hit Squad Bil-lionaires, the Late Gene Bolton, Crockett McDonald’s, Booth Hill Print-ing, Pat Perry, Tree, Bo and Regina Whitting, Sharon Downs, Troy Bolton, the Foreman Family, the Late Sonny Campbell, Keith Campbell and the Campbell Family, the Warfield Family, Eddie Batts, Chris, Crystal, Margeaux and Jimmy Fisher, Vanessa Williams, James and Rose McCullough, Le An-thony "Leebo"“Young, Namor Stewart and Family, the Shepherd Family, Betty “Candy” Harrison, The Ard Fam-ily, Stanley and Felicia (FeFe) Lester, Juliette and Marshall Overshun, The David Family, Bro. W.L. and Sis. Re-gina Tillis, Rev. Oscar Henderson and Family, Customer’s Choice, John Jen-kins, Brent Stephens, Lee Collins, Coach Paul Parsons, Rev. and Sis. Harry Fred Scott, Rev. and Sis. Henry Lovelady, Bishop and Sis. Detroit McCullough, Rev. and Sis. Earl Har-ris, Rev. and Sis. Winston Spencer, Rev. and Sis. Marcus Cobbs, Rev. and Sis. Elliott Reagans, The Porter Springs Community, Aunt Bea’s Attic, Lynda Jones, The Late Wanda Jean Willis Simpson, the Late Darius Ards, Rev. and Sis. Bill Reese, Tre 57, Dave “Rader” Dirden, Cartier Martin, Willie Carter, JaGared Davis, Dominique Wheeler, Jay English, C.J. Wheeler, Gloria Spurlock, Sis. Earlie Groves, Rev. Delvin and Dr. Brenda Atchison, Varonica McKnight, George King, Danny Horton, and The Late Leslie “Tweety Joe” Roberts.

By Billy “Hollywood” Groves, CEO

Is Everyone Capable of Reasoning?

I’ve always been told that the dominant difference between mankind and other species in the animal world is “man’s ability to reason”. While I’ve accepted that philosophy as ab-solute truth, I have never really felt comfortable with the thought of every man and woman’s ability to reason. Throughout history up until present times, mankind’s sometimes bad habit of perpetrating “unreasonable” may-hem and destruction on other humans brings into question “mankind’s ability to reason”. America’s current nation-wide prison industrial complex is a “super Nova” example of mankind dropping the ball when it comes to reasoning. It would seem that a soci-ety of great thinkers and learned men and women of enormous intelligence would have a better response to America’s crimes than to incarcerate millions of people. Then again, ‘reasoning” has a different meaning to different people. When German mad-man Adolf Hitler was murdering, in-carcerating and doing unthinkable atrocities to the Jewish people during the World War II Era, there were hordes of people who thought Hitler had the ability to reason. Oh Yes, there were Hitler believers, how else could he have accomplished the “evil deeds” that he did. I wonder about the “ability to reason” of American judges and the “powers that be” who decide to put so many people in American prisons and jails. It’s really troubling and disingenuous to witness the cruel and unusually harsh prison sentences being given out to African Americans, poor white people and Latinos alike these days. Yet we have people who believe this mindset of dealing with crime is reasonable! As I see it, the State of Texas, under unreasonable leadership

(Governor Rick Perry and the GOP Party) clearly brings into doubt the “everyman’s ability to reason” theory. A the time of the writing this column, “the powers that be” in our local, Crockett, Texas, Houston County Courthouse had just sentenced an-other Black man to a cruel, unusual-ly long prison sentence for selling drugs. At the end of the day, I don’t think every person has the ability to reason, at least not rationally. But I do think most people have the ability to scheme, steal, hate, kill, and ma-nipulate others under the guise of “reason”. God Bless America, Africa and the Rest of the World!

Rev. Tom Franklin Founder: Taser Torture Death Memorial

Rev. Franklin founded the first (and to my knowledge only) Taser Torture Death Memorial at his Church. He told me there were hun-dreds of people across our nation who have been killed and seriously injured by Taser Guns used by U.S. law enforcement, in the last few years. He also expressed his con-cern for the people of Haiti, especial-ly the children of Haiti. The Country still needs aid of all sorts from us, here in America, Rev. Franklin told me in our last conversation. He went on to say that his church was work-ing with T.F.J. Youth Missions and Joseph Litan in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Pastor Franklin said they were taking care of 290 Haitian children at the mission in Haiti who are still home-less after the earthquake. For more information on the children of Haiti and other positive endeavors by Rev. Franklin you can call him at: 817.293.2960 or 817.654.4523 or write Joseph Litan at P.O. box 13132, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, W.I. Keep up the good work, Pastor Tom Franklin!

Alumni Cleanup Recently Completed Kudos go out to the Ralph J. Bunche High School Crockett Alumni Group who recently held a spirited clean-up of the old W.M. Henry Gym on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Crockett. Sue Murray, wife of Crock-ett’s first African American Mayor, Elmer Murray, is a member of the R.B.H. Alumni group along with her husband. Sue shared some great pictures of the event. Sue also told me that she was extremely proud of her granddaughter, Kiarah Riley, who was crowned Crockett High Home-coming Queen 2011. Congrats to Queen Kiarah and her Court.

Never too Young to Help ! Karveondrick Scott, son of Veroneka Wheeler, grandson of Veronica Wheeler joined his GG Lela Wheeler in the Ralph J. Bunch Alumni Clean-Up.

Kiarah Riley, daughter of Niece and Claude Riley was crowned Crockett High School 2011 Homecoming Queen.