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Yard of the Month
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MICHAEL AND LYNN ANN WILLIAMS’ SHERWOOD STREET YARD is small
but packs lots of color, which is exactly what caught the eye of the
Gladewater Garden Club members who named it Yard of the Month for August.
Presenting the honor to the Williams and their new daughter Ella Mae
are club representatives Joyce Hugman and Mildred Bowden Jones. John
Choice of Veolia Water presented the couple with a $50 American Express
gift card in appreciation. The front yard, planted by Walter Crane
Landscape and maintained by Michael, features a dwarf Japanese maple
tree, New Guinea impatiens and impatiens, caladiums, sweet potato vine
and variegated liriope. Brenda Brown/Mirror photo |
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Still waiting for his CLOSE-UP
Local couple looks for East Texas star power
By James Draper & Kim Cox
Staff Writers
“I’m a full-blown actor and praying for one thing only – to
get back on that set,” Don said.
His handwritten, star-studded resume boasts dozens of roles in a score
of movies and TV series, from recent Hollywood blockbusters like “The
Great Debaters” and the upcoming Jack Black comedy “Year One” to
older shows like “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Mars
Attacks,” and the small screen’s “Bonanza.”
More often than not, roles like ‘Pit Boss’ in “Casino” or ‘Cab
Driver’ in “Vegas Vacation” don’t guarantee his name
will make it on the scrolling credits at film’s end, but Don, 58, and
his wife, Robbie McCormack, 43, are part of the diverse, ever-growing horde
of actors necessary for any Hollywood production.
Tinsel Town’s gaze has shifted to the south in recent years...
‘Get the kid with the big ears’
“I started when I was 4 years-old at Paramount Studios, and I’ve
been rockin’ and rollin’ ever since.”
Patricia and James Paul Mackay relocated their young family from London
to the United States and eventually made their way to California in search
of their own “America Dream,” launching their children into the
limelight of 1950s Los Angeles.
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| Don Mackay, 58, used this head shot throughout much of his career
in Los Angeles, Calif. |
Don, his brother, Tommy, and sister, Paula, were among the first auditions
for the Mickey Mouse Club, he said, days before Annette Funicello and the
other Mouseketeers nabbed the coveted spots.
“Everybody had to be a Shirley Temple,” not an easy task for
a skinny kid with “a freckle-face and big ears,” Don said with
a grin.
But when it comes to Hollywood, you have to “hammer and hammer” at
any opportunity you find, Don says, and it wasn’t long before he caught
his first big break alongside “Bozo the Clown..."
“He picked me out of everybody.”
When Bozo handed him a gleaming red Schwinn bicycle, Don said he believed – even
at age six – that he would be a star. More appearances on kids’ television
programs like “Skipper Frank” and commercial spots cemented the
dream.
His parents’ divorce in 1956 forced Don and his mother to live out
of the Melrose Hotel on Gower Avenue in Los Angeles, but it was bittersweet – the “Bonanza” back
lot became the boy’s new backyard, Virginia City his adopted hometown...
‘If you’re not in front of that camera, what good are you?’
More than 50 years in the movie business and dozens of roles have taught
Don a thing or two about grabbing a few precious seconds frames – and
making sure you don’t end up on the cutting room floor.
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| Robbie McCormack, brand new to acting, and Don are familiar faces
around Gladewater as they try to recruit locals into movies being made
nearby |
“I don’t care where I’m standing,” Don said. If
a director places him out of the frame, you can bet Don will be shuffling,
side-stepping and sliding into the camera’s eye. “There’s
the camera, there’s the pay-dirt. If you want the money, you better
be in front of that camera.”
Don can rattle off a handful of characters he played in the movie “Casino,” starring
alongside Robert DeNiro and Sharon Stone as a slot player, pit boss, and
other roles. “You’ll see me and see me and see me,” he
said, just glimpses, but an excellent chance for a struggling actor to get
precious screen time...
‘It was exciting. It was adventurous. It was glory.’
“In the movie business, it’s like anything: you have to keep
fishing for information,” Don said. “The only way you get in
the movies is pray for the audition, pray for the part...
...For the complete story, see this week's edition of The Gladewater
Mirror.
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East Texas Museum opens nostalgic exhibit
By Brenda Brown
Mirror Editor
The East Texas Museum at Gladewater reopened Saturday with all new exhibits
featuring everything from a 1904 photo of a city celebration on the Fourth
of July to special exhibits on family life and shopping in the 1930s to the
impact of the Oil Boom on our little berg.
“The whole museum will be filled strictly with Gladewater history,” said
museum President Elaine Roddy.
Indeed, every room is filled to the brim. One exhibit features an extended
collection of Oil Boom memorabilia, along with a display about the First
Baptist Church of Gladewater.
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| Early 1930s, looking north on Main Street. Among the businesses: Wiseman
Bros. New & Used Furniture, Ranger Meat Market, Eldorado Motel, Lloyd’s
Café, George’s Café & Smokehouse, Rose Drug.
Co., Wonder Café, Texaco and Gulf gas stations. This photo is
from a postcard donated to the museum from Dona Bozman. For more history,
visit the East Texas Museum at Gladewater, 116 W. Pacific, Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Another room will feature the old First State Bank, which began operation
here as the Everett Bank.
The museum has also recreated scenes from the past regarding how people
lived in the olden days. Among the things to be seen: a piano from 1890,
a treadle sewing machine and ice box from the 1930s, and all kinds of appliances
and utensils created to make the housewife’s life “easier.”
The Rose Shop women’s haberdashery has also been recreated, thanks
to fashionable hats donated to the museum by Dona Bozman, Nauty Byrd Mayer
and the late Corrie Hearrell. The shop, located on South Main, was in business
here during the 1930s.
“Most of the items are donated by Gladewater..."
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
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The Passing Parade
By Mildred Bowden Jones & Joyce Hugman
Many will remember Scott Prosch who graduated from Gladewater High School
in 1979. Friends were shocked to learn recently that he was diagnosed with
ALS or Lou Gerhig’s disease. ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease
which attacks the motor neurons making the simplest movements impossible.
Ultimately the body becomes paralyzed, yet the mind remains unaffected.
He lives in Arizona with his wife, Marilyn and they have six children.
Marilyn has started a fund raising initiative to benefit research for this
disease. Scott needs your prayers and help. To learn more about this go
to www.scottsheroes.com/index.html.
Maia Mason-Friend, 10 years old, has been enjoying a 10 day visit in
the home of her grandparents Mark and Shelia Friend. Maia lives with her
mother, Veronica , in Amsterdam. Veronica arrived with her but had to return
home and Maia stayed on and enjoyed the outdoor life in East Texas.
Did you know that Bailey’s Ace Hardware now has a multipurpose
building available to rent for functions? It is located just west of the
store and the site also contains space for boat and RV storage. The DownHome
Cloggers folk dancing group will hold beginni ng clogging dance classes
starting Aug. 26. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. at Bailey’s Multipurpose
Building at 1604 E. Broadway on August 19. For more information call 903
759 7230 or email jb5638@aol.com.
Judy of Lee Public Library reports that the Summer Reading Program was
a big success. Story time for small children ages 4 and up is still scheduled
for Tuesday at l0:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to read to the children.
Call 845 2640 and speak to Judy or Velda if you want to volunteer.
New books at the Lee Public Library are: Ballet of the Elephants by Leola
Schubert; I Spy Treasure Hunt by Jean Marzollo; I Spy Mystery by Jean Marzollo;
Hometown Legend by Jerry B. Jenkins; Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray; Church Folk
by Michele Andrea Bowen; The Human Body by Sylvaine Perols; Deadly Deceptions
by Linda L Miller; 20/85 The Experience by Hezekiah Walker, Why Do Dogs
Do That by Kim Thornton; Daredevil by VHS; Blood on the Table by Colin
Evans; When the Husband is the Suspect by F. Lee Bailey. The Library probably
has plenty of books you haven’t read yet…
Gladewater has some of the most wonderful people in all the world. I
am still receiving memorials for my brother, James, just recently from
Dorothy Spears and Joyce Hugman. I have received many such wonderful gestures
which shall never be forgotten and certainly appreciated. Another very
sweet and thoughtful person that we should all appreciate more is my good
friend Brenda Brown. I received a precious thank you note from her as I
had made a donation to the Cass County Retired Teachers Scholarship fund
in her dad’s memory. Quote from Brenda “Most of all, I want
to thank you for being you! You are such a special lady to me and to this
town! And to the newspaper! Especially to the newspaper!! “ Aren’t
those the most kind and loved remarks that one could receive. She also
gave a memorial to the Lee Public Library in memory of my brother. Brenda
is truly a true friend and a great asset to Gladewater. Brenda you are
very dear!!!
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS--- Donald Delaune, Larry Byrd, R. C. Thompson,
Jerry Nixon, Larry Schuthie, Martha Snell (Dora Taylor’s mother)
Continue to remember Bennie McDowell, James Jaggers, Marylue Audas, Patsy
Thomas, Martha Snell.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY Carla Bohannon on August 2, 2008. Carla is a beautiful
and sweet lady always ready to help everybody. She is a # 1 Secretary to
Hugh Bowden at White Oak State Bank. Happy Birthday, Carla, and Many, Many
More!!!
Happy Birthday, Charles Hopson!!! I can’t remember the exact date
as Marilyn Godfrey, Roy Johnson, Charles Hopson and my late husband Cliff
Bowden all celebrated birthdays very close together and it’s hard
to remember their days. I could say Happy Birthday to the best Principal,
Charles, and the best Supt., Roy, but I would be in trouble because I have
some others that are still here---so I will say they were ONE of the best
and favorites. Charles, Roy, and Marilyn I hope that you all have MANY,
MANY MORE!!!
What a fabulous day I spent with Jon and Cindy, Alyssa and Leslie Rowe
on Saturday. We attended the birthday celebration for Marilyn Godfrey at
Bryan, Texas. Because Marilyn’s birthday date is such an unusual
calendar date, 8 - 8- 8, there was a special celebration of her 85th birthday
but the party was Saturday, August 2 from 2:00 p.m.-- 4:00 p.m. at the
WaldenBrooke Estates. It was hosted by her brother and sister-in-law, Buddy
and Jeane McGown and family.
It was a beautiful affair and beautifully decorated with picture memories
and a big banner representing her many activities in Gladewater. Beautiful
music was enjoyed during the party hours by her brother’s retired
music teacher. Adding to the lively festivities Marilyn played “ Here
Come the Bears” and it was sung by several Gladeites that were there--Jon
and Cindy Rowe, Alyssa Rowe, Leslie Rowe, Mildred Bowden Jones, Nick and
Marty
Sholars, Don and Debbie Fallin--and maybe some others I can’t remember.
Cindy Rowe presented Marilyn with a Key to the City of Gladewater from
her father, former Mayor John Paul Tallent--which was a highlight to her.
She also presented her with an over size picture of Marilyn when she was
taking tickets at the Gladewater Rodeo for many, many years--this was a
gift sent by Barbara Mackey. Marilyn received many gifts and cards which
the family was making into a scrapbook.
Lovely refreshments of sandwiches, dips, chips, punch and birthday cake
were served to her approximately 100 guests.
I don’t have a guest list but these are some familiar names that
you might recognize: Bro. Guy and Betty Pry of Bryan; Bro. Nick and Marty
Sholars of Tyler; Jon and Cindy Rowe and Alyssa and Leslie from Gladewater;
Don and Debbie Fallin of Tenaha; Kyle and Kathleen Reeves of Gladewater
and Mildred Bowden Jones of Gladewater.
Before the party Marilyn treated Jon, Cindy, Alyssa, and Leslie Rowe
and Mildred Bowden Jones for lunch in the dining room facility. After the
party the McGown families were going for dinner to continue the celebration.
Many family members were present.
What a great birthday celebration and one that I’m sure that Marilyn
will always treasure. Hopefully, she will have many, many more!
...For the complete Passing Parade, see this week's edition of The
Gladewater Mirror.
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