Pat Green and the Piney Woods Fine Arts Association

Pat Green in Crockett, Texas? Absolutely! What a great show! Pat Green played to a packed house Friday night at the Crockett Civic Center. It was one of Piney Woods Fine Arts Association Special Events for the 2010-2011 season.

It's hard to believe that Piney Woods Fine Arts Association (PWFAA) has been around for 20 years. They have been bringing quality entertainment to us courtesy of a fine Board of Directors led by none other than Bryan Lake, our resident smartsy artsy guy (I say that in a good way Bry Bry).

Over the last twenty years, there has been some wonderful shows, and it appears that this season will be no different. Besides Pat Green, look for Grammy winning singer Aaron Neville in September, Asleep at the Wheel in December, country and western star Ronnie Milsap next April, and lots of other music and entertainment events in between.

Don't tell me there's nothing to do in Crockett! PWFAA has a season full of great acts, so give them a call and get your tickets. You can find out more about their full line up this year by going to their website, http://www.pwfaa.org/. By the way, the Mask Girls had an awesome time at Pat Green too! The Piney Woods Fine Arts Association, just another big reason I Love Crockett, Texas!

It's a Monday

Yep, it's a Monday, and we're back to work after spending a few days on Galveston Island. We've called Crockett our home for 21 years now, having grown up in Pasadena, Texas. And I have to say, man, am I glad to be back home!

The traffic in and around the Houston area truly amazes me. It doesn't matter what time it is day or night or what day of the week you are travelling, there is a constant flow of traffic. I often ask my wife, "Where in the world are all these folks going?" All it takes is a trip to Houston or one of Texas' other 'big cities' and you know what I mean. It truly is a blessing to live and work in a small town, where you can be anywhere you need to in just a few minutes or so.

You may not know this but Crockett, Texas was one of the first cities in the nation to have a loop constructed around the city. We had our Loop 304 even before Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth or San Antonio had theirs! That's pretty neat!

And for many years (at least the twenty odd ones we've been here), Crockett has only had one stoplight (technically there are actually two stoplights at the intersection). That's right, the traffic light on Loop 304 in front of Wal-Mart is the second traffic light. Now some of you reading this will probably be saying to yourself, "Why would anyone want to live in a town with one stoplight?" Well, not that's its any big secret but the fact that we don't have bumper-to-bumper traffic is just another reason why I Love Crockett, Texas!

As American as Apple Pie

What a great day to be in Crockett, Texas! The Annual July 4th Independence Day Celebration was a huge success. From the little tykes on their decorated bicycles to the delicious apple pie, hot dogs and homemade ice cream, it was definitely an all American celebration.

And did I mention apple pie? There was a fruit pie baking contest and the winner again this year was Corrie Ainsworth of The Mercantile Antiques fame. But surprise, surprise-the second place winner was our own Houston County Judge Lonnie Hunt. And third place went to the employees of the Moosehead Cafe (which is where we ended up after the parade for a slice of Joni's delicious pie). I was taking mental notes when Joni and the Judge were discussing their secrets to baking a pie. I learned that butter in the crust makes a good pie, and they both agreed you have to use Granny Smith apples, but Lonnie wasn't revealing what made his skillet baked apple pie a hit. But I don't want to get down on him too much, he promised me he would bake one for us!

I know our country seems to be under a great deal of strain right now but being part of the 4th of July Independence Day Celebration just made you feel good. It was important to be reminded that freedom is indeed, not free, and that in spite of everything going on in the world, we still live in the greatest country in the world! God bless the USA!

Thanks to the Downtown Beautification Corporation volunteers and all who helped organize this year's activities. I think this year's event was the best ever!