Communities gearing up for Independence Day celebrations

By Brian Walzel and Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

City of Tomball
The Tomball Fire Department has been busy the past several months gearing up for its annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

The show is scheduled to begin just after sunset at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4.

Tomball Fire Chief Randy Parr said a few of the ideal viewing locations will be some of the large retail center parking lots near the Four Corners intersection of FM 2920 and SH 249.

“Some of the best places to watch them from will be the Lowe’s parking lot, Target, Academy, and HEB (parking lots),” Parr said.

Beginning at 1 p.m., Tomball firefighters will be on location at the Target parking lot with water games, fire trucks and a dunk tank for those looking to cool off.

“It should be a very nice event,” Parr said.

Some roads surrounding the shooting site will be closed for the safety of drivers, he added.

Those closures include Hicks between SH 249 and Quinn, Quinn between Hicks and Rudel, and Rudel between SH 249 and Quinn.

“Those are the closest roads to the shooting site, so we want to make sure we don’t have a lot of people in those sites,” Parr said.

According to the Parr, the Tomball Fire Department has been putting on the annual Fourth of July fireworks show for more than 15 years.

Planning for the event begins several months in advance.

“We start about three to four months before the event, talking to fireworks suppliers and trying to identify things we want to do differently,” he said.

City of Magnolia
The Magnolia Depot and Museum, located at the intersection of Melton and Buddy Riley Blvd. in Magnolia, will host a 4th of July celebration. Admission is free. The Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring live music, with several bands offering a variety of country, classic rock, and blues music from 2 to 8 p.m. Vendors will sell traditional and cultural foods and the Magnolia Historical Society will offer snow cones. The historic Depot Museum will be open for touring. Non-profit organizations should contact the chamber to register as a food vendor. The Blue Iguana restaurant is providing additional parking. For more information, call 281-356-1488, e-mail info@magnoliatexas.org, or log on to www.magnoliatexas.org.

The Woodlands
On July 3 the Houston Symphony will perform a free “Star-Spangled Salute” concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. On July 4 the South County 4th of July Parade begins at 9 a.m., progressing down Grogan’s Mill to Market Street in The Woodlands. From 6 to10 p.m. the 10th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza will feature inflatables, face painting, a putt-putt golf course, rock-climbing walls, strolling performers and three fireworks displays. For more information, 281-363-2447 or log on to www.town-center.com/redhotblue/index.cfm.

Fields Store Community
The Fields Store Cemetery Association is hosting its annual rodeo event and fireworks display on July 4 at the Chad Treichel Memorial Arena, located at FM 1488 and Fields Store Road. For more information, call New Hope United Methodist Church at 936-372-5325.

Hockley
The Samaritan Alliance will host a free fireworks display on July 3 at the Oil Ranch, located at 26055 Magnolia Road in Hockley. Gates open at 2 p.m. with food and drinks and raffle tickets being sold throughout the day. For more information, call Mike’s County Store at 281-252-6110.

UM Army missions instill ‘faith through action’

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

More than a dozen homes in the Tomball area are getting a facelift thanks to the efforts of the UM Army, a volunteer program of Methodist churches.

Pictured, Lauren Caraway of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Nederland paints the home of Wilma Johnson. Caraway took part in a UM Army project last week that helped repair homes in the Tomball area.

Tomball United Methodist Church (TUMC) is a host church for this year’s program. Last week, 20 teams and more than 100 youth and adults took on a variety of renovation projects at homes where their owners needed a little help.

United Methodist Action Reach-Out Missions for Youth (UM Army) is a weeklong camp. Last week, Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan declared the week UM Army week in celebration of the work the teams performed.

Not long ago, Wilma Johnson, who lives on Timkin Road, fell through her dilapidated front porch. The wood had become hazardous and rotten, but Johnson did not have the means, or the money, to fix it. The same thing occurred with the two sets of steps leading up to her back porch, and the missing portion of dry wall in a bedroom.

Last week, a team led by Ray Koons of Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church in Tyler and Jeremy Kaulfus of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Nederland descended on Johnson’s home with a truckload of tools and even more work ethic. By week’s end Johnson’s home had gotten new steps, a new porch, dry wall, and a fresh coat of paint on the outside.

“This is not something I knew was going to happen,” she said last week, as workers hammered and drilled away at her home. “It’s a miracle, a real blessing.”

Johnson is a bus driver for Klein Independent School District and said it has been difficult to get her home repaired, a home she has lived in since 1982.

“To have a good porch is a blessing,” she said.

TUMC Pastor Stephen Roads said many youths who participate in UM Army call the experience a life-changing event.

“It’s remarkable to see these youths do it,” he said. “They are seeing that other people have needs and you can do something about it. They’re at an age when you don’t want to help other people. And they are.”

Lauren Caraway, who is a member of St. Paul’s, helped work on Johnson’s home.

“I like helping people,” she said. “It’s a really good experience, plus it’s a lot of fun.”

Kaulfus explained that many such UM Army missions are held throughout the year all across the world.

A team from TUMC led by Rhoads recently traveled to New Orleans where they helped clean out houses ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Kaulfus took a trip to Belize as part of the program.

“They realize that this is faith through action,” Rhoads said.

The Magnolia Home School Drama Club recently performed the play, “The Prince Who Wouldn’t Talk” by James Brock, as a fundraiser. On June 27 the theatre group delivered a check for $100 to the Society of Samaritans (SOS). Pictured (front row, left to right), Wizard John Colvin, Wizard Emma Veronie, Sarah Frey as the Page, and Wizard Andrew Donlon; (back row, left to right) Richard Carmona as the Prince, Claire Veronie as the Princess, Elizabeth Donlon as the Queen, Sue Storch of SOS who received the check, and Michael Carmona as the King.
Photo by Cari Herr

Out with the old, out with the new?

Carlisle seals deal, resignations requested of Bramlett and Scott

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The aftermath of the May elections in Magnolia have left the city split on the issues of contractual obligations, candidate integrity, and city management with a new petition being filed with the city to return to a city manager form of government.

Council members came to an agreement at the June 26 city council meeting on former City Manager Roger Carlisle’s contract, which has been settled at a reduced amount of $88,600.

The deal was negotiated with attorneys in executive session. Of the settled amount, the city will pay $55,000 and the Magnolia 4A and 4B Corps. will each pay $16,800, respectively.

Council unanimously approved the motion, contingent on the approval of both the 4A and 4B, authorizing the mayor to sign the settlement agreement with Carlisle.

“As discussed in council we felt it was the right thing to do,” said Mayor Jimmy Thornton in a later interview. “Mr. Carlisle came down to the $88,000 figure and said he would take that settlement.”

Payment is due to be issued by July 20, according to City Attorney Leonard Schneider.

The election dust has barely settled on Magnolia’s new form of city government and some residents are already calling for the resignations of both John Bramlett and Sammie Scott. Due to restrictions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, the councilmen could not respond at the meeting.

Former Magnolia Planning Commissioner Bo Mauch specifically addressed David Sutherland, Sammie Scott and John Bramlett with allegations of a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act on the morning of June 12 prior to the council meeting that same day.

Mauch advised the three councilmen that a formal complaint had been filed with the district attorney’s office for investigation of the violation.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about,” said Sutherland later. “The only time the three of us have been together discussing city business is at the council meetings.”

Bramlett was addressed specifically by Mauch regarding the failed City Hall construction, which occurred during Bramlett’s tenure as mayor, a position Bramlett resigned from in 2001.

He cited $500,000 in unaccounted for costs to build City Hall, after poor construction caused dangerous mold to develop.

“How much money will Magnolia have to pay for John Bramlett’s mistakes?” asked Mauch.

Bramlett said later that the amount was $100,000 and was accounted for in a 2006 audit done by McCall Gibson.

“I did not build City Hall,” he said. “As the mayor, I did not have a vote. The council votes and does as they please.”

Mauch distributed copies of Tribune and Houston Chronicle news stories that exposed a series of falsehoods made by Bramlett in 1996 on a sworn deposition that led to Bramlett’s former resignation as mayor. He requested Bramlett to follow through with his March 21 withdrawal from the election, which came one day too late leaving Bramlett’s name on the ballot, and resign from his councilman position.

“I am not resigning,” said Bramlett.

John Marchand also spoke before council, saying he was “embarrassed” to have Scott represent the city, alleging that Scott had “defrauded” the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more than $34,000.

Marchand produced and distributed a Notice of Levy from the IRS for the 2004 tax year of $25,903.94 with another $8,472.39 in penalties and interest.

In a later interview, Scott said he was filing a complaint with the district attorney’s office, though he admitted he owed the income taxes.

“I am working with the IRS to establish a payment plan,” said Scott. “The manner in which (Marchand) acquired the information is illegal and I will let the DA do the investigation on that.”

City Secretary LuAnn Drake confirmed that no open records request had been made for Scott’s financial information.

In closing, Marchand demanded that Scott resign or “we will continue to dig into your past and expose other improprieties.”

Thornton also addressed Sutherland, Bramlett and Scott on appointments to city positions and the removal of former mayors Cedric Smith and Frank Parker from the Magnolia Planning Commission and the 4B respectively, asking why two former mayors who have consistently supported and served the city were removed from their respective committees.

“I went along with my fellow councilman that had said he would like to remove Frank Parker,” said Bramlett pointing to Scott, who said he wanted to give other people an opportunity to serve.

“I’m going to question everything that is done,” said Thornton. “This was done maliciously and is wrong.” Applause resounded following Thornton’s statement.

At the close of the meeting, Thornton handed a petition with 46 signatures to City Secretary LuAnn Drake for voter verification and requested it be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

The petition called for the city “to call and hold an election to return to the City Manager form of government.”

“I am requesting a current registered voter list as of June 26 from Montgomery County,” said Drake, who had not verified the petition as of press time.

Magnolia 4A Corporation directors and city staff reviewed a draft of a promotional DVD advertising the City of Magnolia at a recent meeting. Pictured (left to right, standing), Savon Thou, 4A Attorney Charlotte Drew, Calvin Williams, Jonny Williams; (left to right, seated) Steve Hoffart and Magnolia City Secretary LuAnn Drake.
Photo by Cari Herr

Tomball police arrest two in copper theft spree

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The Tomball Police Department has arrested two local men in connection with a string of copper thefts and motor vehicle burglaries.

Jason Beaty, 20, and Spencer Smith, 19, both of Magnolia were arrested June 15 after a tip alerted police of their involvement in a recent copper theft incident.

According to Tomball Police, both Beaty and Smith admitted to stealing more than $600 worth of copper wiring from several air conditioning units on the roof of the former Kroger store located in the 28000 block of Tomball Pkwy.

According to a report issued by Tomball Police, the investigation began when Det. Chambers was told that the air conditioning units of a business adjacent to the old Kroger store were not cooling the building. Chambers found that the condenser coils containing copper had been removed from several of the air conditioning units located on the roof of the building, destroying the units.

The alleged thieves left behind a set of bolt cutters and other hand tools, the report stated.

The estimated value of the condenser coils and the damage to the units totaled approximately $30,000.

A short time later, Tomball Police received a tip from someone who “was involved with the theft,” the report stated.

“This person came in (to the department) and voluntarily gave a statement of her involvement and knew the names of the two suspects who actually stole the condenser units for the copper.”

The tipster went on to claim that she had been with Smith and Beaty when the two sold the copper for $600 at Star Recycling in Pinehurst, where workers there later positively identified the two suspects through a photo array.

Det. Jennifer Torres, who was assigned to the case, also learned that the two suspects had pawned several items they had stolen from vehicles in Montgomery County.

After their arrest at their homes, both Beaty and Smith confessed to the theft at the former Kroger facility and to a copper theft at Pigs Unlimited on FM 2978. Beaty also admitted to breaking into vehicles in Montgomery County.

Smith confessed to the copper thefts at Kroger’s, Pigs Unlimited and Advanced Precisions on S. Persimmon and breaking into vehicles.

Both were charged with felony theft for the copper thefts. Other charges stemming from the motor vehicle thefts may be forthcoming.

Academic instruction, athletics for home school community coming to Magnolia

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Magnolia will soon have a private education center to offer its residents.

Officials with The Light House Education Center (TLH), a home school instruction center facilitated by qualified educators, recently broke ground on a 17-acre facility planned to be constructed on FM 1488, west of Magnolia, according to board member Preston Cutbirth.

The board of directors for The Light House Education Center, students and their family members broke ground on June 16 for a 17-acre private education facility located on FM 1488, west of Magnolia. Pictured, (left to right, back to front): (grouped left) Cody Cothran, Amy Dupree, Roni Cothran, Bailey Smith; (grouped center) Jessica Cothran, Mike Eubanks, Isaac Smith, Sheri Eubanks holding Cody James Eubanks, and Casey Cothran; (grouped right) Preston Cutbirth, Steven Cutbirth, Elizabeth Cutbirth, Elizabeth Anne Cutbirth and Robbie Cutbirth.

Seven years ago Roni Cothran founded TLH by organizing five home school families, which quickly established a board of directors and filed for non-profit status with the state.

The board of directors acquired qualified teachers and, with the assistance of Pastor Ed Seay and the permission of the congregation, began offering course instruction at the First Baptist Church of Magnolia.

More than 20 students have graduated from the center, all of which have gone on to colleges and universities. TLH had an enrollment of 150 for the 2006-07 school year, down by 50 from 2005-06.

“The center provides instruction two days a week during which higher grade level students can receive curriculum training in a university style setting,” said Cutbirth.

Jordan Contractors is developing the master site plan for the new facility. The plan includes a home-style education building in addition to athletic fields to support baseball, soccer and football.

“We’re trying to stay away from the traditional school building,” said Cutbirth, whose son graduated from the center in 2005, along with Cothran’s daughter.

The center plans to offer a two-day or expanded three-day a week curriculum, including all the core subjects as well as a diverse selection of electives.

Despite the center’s previous affiliation with the church, Cutbirth emphasized the center’s non-denominational Christian doctrine, as well as a continuation of the traditional “parent as teacher” home school environment.

“We do want to associate with those of like Christian principals,” Cutbirth said. “However, parents are still responsible for teaching their children.”

The new facility is in the early development stages with building estimates forthcoming and bid letting scheduled for September.

An open house for fall registration is scheduled for July 16 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Wildwood United Methodist Church. For more information, log on to www.lighthouse-eduction.org, or call 281-356-7259.

Magnolia PD claims conspiracy in arrest order allegations

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The political waters of Magnolia have just become muddier with the June 26 release of a signed statement by Magnolia Police Department Chief Ron Cunningham and Capt. Mike Smith in which they allude to a collaborative effort between former city councilman Richard Anderson and Cpl. Mike Alexander of the MPD.

Recent allegations by Alexander that Cunningham and Smith gave orders for officers to stop and arrest two citizens without cause are being investigated by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office (DA).

The allegations were reported in the June 25 edition of the Tribune following the submission of a letter by Alexander to the DA outlining specific orders from Cunningham and Smith given prior to the May election.

Allegedly department officers were ordered to “find anything to arrest (Richard Anderson) on” and to “be on the lookout” for then city council candidate Sammie Scott. “If Sammie Scott got elected we would all be fired,” Alexander claimed he was told.

The signed statement issued by Cunningham and Smith said, “An internal investigation is under way within the Magnolia Police Department (MPD) in an attempt to determine where and how this vicious rumor began.”

Cunningham and Smith reiterated that Anderson had never been a target.

“Richard Anderson has never been targeted, subject to any illegal action, to any violation of his rights, and as a matter of fact has never been subject to a traffic stop by any employee,” the letter states.

However, the statement does allude that Anderson may have a motive for lobbying against the department saying, “It has been stated that Mr. Anderson has bragged about the fact that he had gotten his way with the City Manager position and now he was going to get the Chief and Captain.”

The statement continues, alleging that Anderson “holds a deep seated grudge against the Chief and Captain” due to a “large number of illegal (A5 feed) signs that were pulled from the ground,” in accordance with the city’s sign ordinance. The statement further alleges that the feed store is “directly linked to Richard Anderson.”

Anderson has stated that he believes he was a target because of his involvement in the recent election and for his backing of Scott.

Despite these rumors, Cunningham was adamant, as Anderson previously admitted, that no MPD officer had ever stopped the former Magnolia resident and city councilman.

Both Smith and Cunningham denied Alexander’s allegations saying, “There has never been anything more than joking statements made to or by any party within the department in reference to any political lobbyist” or candidate.

When the Tribune asked Alexander if the incident could have stemmed from a departmental joke he said, “Absolutely not. On Friday June 15, when Capt. Smith called me, he said to arrest Mr. Anderson. It was not a joking matter.”

Both Cunningham and Smith agreed in the statement that Alexander’s letter “is a total untruth and was done out of malice.”

Their reasoning includes a series of probationary periods and disciplinary actions Alexander has been subject to since joining the MPD in September of 2005.

According to the department, Alexander was placed on extended probation in February 2007 following disciplinary action “for his lack of professionalism and knowledge in doing his job and has been subject to a recent internal investigation.”

“They are attempting to deflect the focus of the allegations and discredit me,” Alexander said.

Alexander admitted he was currently on probation. He has letters showing he was cleared of any wrong doing in one incident and took full responsibility for an incident in which he released video footage without prior consent. He has been on medical leave since June 11, but returned to normal duty as of June 27.

Alexander denied any political involvement or conspiratorial motive for his accusations saying, “These are not political actions,” he said. “I have a duty to report crimes and I’m not going to be a part of it,” he said.

In their statement Cunningham and Smith said, “We believe (Alexander’s) letter was done as a retaliatory effort, and in an attempt to save his position as the corporal within the department.”

The document further implies a collaborative conspiracy between Alexander and Anderson, saying that “Anderson has conspired with…parties within the (MPD) and has promised them leniency and future position raises” if they will support these allegations, “due to the fact that a close personal friend of his was terminated from his position,” referring to former MPD Sgt. Tom Conklin, who currently has a lawsuit pending with the city.

When questioned as to whether any promises had been made to Alexander by any lobbyist, candidate or interested party he said, “Negative. The only interaction I ever had with Mr. Anderson is when I hired on as a reserve. I’ve never really held a conversation with him.”

The statement by Cunningham and Smith closes with an apology “to both Richard Anderson and Councilman Sammie Scott for the rumors and innuendos that have been presented to the parties involved.”

The DA is in the process of conducting interviews with department personnel and the case will be scheduled for the end of July or the first of August for a Grand Jury review of the statements, according to District Attorney Mike McDougal. “Our position is whether justice will be served by our investigation,” he said.

Track improvement project coming to a close

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The Union Pacific Rail Road is in the last stages of a two-month project upgrading the tracks and replacing the railroad ties between Bryan and Navasota to just three miles north of Magnolia.

The Union Pacific Rail Road is in the last stages of a two-month project replacing the railroad ties between Bryan, Navasota and Magnolia.

Two weeks ago the Union Pacific Rail Road rolled into the Magnolia Depot with car after car of equipment and busloads of tie gang workers.

More than 28 crossings in the area are being resurfaced, but workers made quick work of delays at those crossings.

The project is part of a $10 million track improvement for the Union Pacific Navasota Subdivision, according to Union Pacific spokesman Joe Arbona. The upgrade covered 23 miles and added 11 additional miles of new track at Bryan.

A double tie gang of 80 workers replaced more than 45,000 rail ties, requiring more than 100 pieces of equipment, Arbona said.

The project began at track milepost 25 in April and was concluded at track milepost 48 on June 22.

The Magnolia secondary tracks, called a siding, were used as a staging area for the last leg of the work as crews prepared to roll out of the area.

Union Pacific does not dispose of used rail ties to the public, but donates the ties to railroad museums or for community projects, said Arbona.

Arbano added that Union Pacific has a contract with Wood Energy to pick up and dispose of the leftover ties. For more information, contact Andy Lewis 870-460-0083.

Tomball Fire Department program aims to educate youth

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The Tomball Fire Department (TFD) is taking part in a program that Fire Chief Randy Parr is hoping will educate youths about the dangers of fire.

The department has selected a public education and fire safety program called FirePup. According to a release by the department, “this program is designed to develop fire safety education materials that are designed to reach children from the age of three through fifth grade.”

Parr said the program targets school-aged children because they are most susceptible to fire hazards.

“Those have been determined to be more at risk in a fire event than older kids,” he said.

According to Parr, many children under the age of 12 do not even respond to smoke detectors. He said that new developments in smoke detectors, such as a parent’s recorded voice, are proving to be more successful.

Parr added that the program is also a way to increase community involvement.

“It’s a way to get the community involved in the public education effort and distribute a significant amount of public education material, especially during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13),” Parr said.

As part of the program, TFD officials distribute FirePup materials in local schools during public safety presentations and community events.

The materials have been designed exclusively by the National Fire Safety Council, which mandates that all costs associated with designing, printing, and distributing the materials be paid from monies obtained through charitable contributions.

According to the release, the materials the department will be distributing include a 24-page activity manual, informational pamphlets on topics such as smoke detectors, home fire escapes, dialing 911 and more.

The TFD, which attends more than 100 public relation events each year, is utilizing the FirePup program for the third year.

Parr and the department are seeking financial contributions to help fund the program. Sponsorships begin at $59 for 25 children and increase to $945 for 400 children.

Checks may be made payable to National Fire Safety Council, Inc., and mailed to Tomball Fire Department, Attn: Fire Chief, 1200 Rudel, Tomball, Texas, 77375.

For more information, call 281-351-7101.

Chamber luncheon features estate planning overview

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

A luncheon held June 21 at The Mansions, hosted by the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce, featured a financial management and estate planning overview by Greg Dailey of the Mid-Continent Company.

Greg Dailey of the Mid Continent Company was the guest speaker at the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce luncheon held June 21 at The Mansions.
Photo by Cari Herr

Founded in 1963, the company specializes in middle market business transfer and succession planning, as well as comprehensive trust and estate planning for family owned and operated companies.

“We work with the owners of privately held businesses to preserve their lifetime of hard work,” Dailey said.

Dailey referred to the largest partner of all businessmen as the Internal Revenue Service.

“Your largest partner earns a good portion from your business, and he’s not going away,” Dailey said.

Throughout the presentation, Dailey focused on current and changing estate tax laws, what an estate consists of, corporate governance, buy/sell agreements, risk management, succession and business transfer, and correct reasons for planning.

The basic components of an estate plan include a will, a power of attorney and a trust, Dailey said.

“A will directs the probate court on how to distribute property. Without a will, the estate of the deceased is referred to as in testate,” said Dailey.

A separate power of attorney for health directives and for financial decisions should be established for an estate.

An estate consists of four different types of property: personal, physical, intellectual and financial.

Property such as clothing, cars, furniture, boats, and lawn mowers all fall into the category of personal property. Land, homes, other real estate, and business assets comprise physical property. Intellectual property consists of creative works such as copyrights for manuscripts or inventions. Financial property is cash assets, stocks, mutual funds, annuities, bank accounts, personal loans, IRAs and 401Ks, as well as bonds and life insurance policies.

The owner of a personal life insurance policy should be someone other than the covered individual, Dailey said. Otherwise, at the time of death, it will be included in an estate inventory and becomes taxable.

He also discussed the benefits of a trust as an option for protecting an estate from taxation.

“A trust allows you to reduce your estate value, but still control it during your lifetime,” Dailey said. “thereby reducing your taxes.

To reduce taxes, avoid business interruption, and protect assets, proper business and family financial planning is essential, Dailey said, because estate taxes cannot be avoided and must be paid within nine months of the date of death.

“This is information every private business owner should have,” said chamber member Cindy Justice.

Madonna and child revealed to local artist in woodcutting

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Lucille Milo claims the grain of a plain piece of wood outlines an image of a woman and child.

Pictured, Lucille Milo used a pencil and watercolors to draw out an image of woman and child from the wood grain of an old tree stump.

To some it is an impression of the Madonna and child, while others see a Native American woman and child, she said.

On the other side of the wood, an image of a bearded, wizened man, presents itself through the enhanced wood grain of the piece. Some viewers of the piece have referred to the image as Jesus Christ, Milo said.

Milo is an artist by nature. The 52-year-old Magnolia resident creates custom interior designs and arts and crafts though her Web site, www.pillowsgaloreanddesigns.com.

When she saw the piece of wood, her first intention was to paint a horse on it, seal it and hang it. She never dreamed it would become an “amazing piece of wood.”

Milo said the wood is a slice from an old tree stump some friends were to have burned, but she does not know what kind of tree it is from.

“I wondered about the life of the trees and what they had seen and known,” she said.

After she took ownership of the wood, Milo sanded the piece and removed the bark and marks of age. With a pencil Milo traced the lines of the wood’s natural grain to reveal the image of a mother and child.

As the image became clearer, she added watercolor paint to enhance the faces she saw.

Milo took the piece to a local priest, who told her that people are given special talents to see things others cannot, often having to point out the impression before others can see it.

Milo claims no spiritual outpouring of revelation in her work, nor does she refute it. Art reveals itself to the minds eye, she said.

The work will be on display at the Gallery 19 Heights in Houston on September 1. For more information, call Heidi Powell-Prera 713-456-9513.

From the Book of Clifford

By Clifford Parker
Contributing Writer

God made boys and girls different.

I know that is not a profound statement, but the more and more mankind tries to make all of us equal, the more our differences never seem to go away.

Of course, the physical differences always are, always have been and always will be obvious, but the emotional and psychological makeup between male and female is pretty much shown from a very, very young age.

I want to tell you a story about my little friend named Hayden.

Now, I need to say up front that this story is a third-hand story. Minor details may be more imagined in my mind than fact; however, the punch line is all the same.

Hayden is 4 years old.

The male species always seems to be, for the most part, a bit more exaggerated and destructive than their female counterparts. If you give a girl a piece of paper, she will probably draw or write something on it. If you give a boy a piece of paper, they will probably scribble all over it in bold fashion, fold it up, crumple it, throw it at others, maybe stomp on it and may even try to eat it just because it’s available.

If we guys can’t fix it, we will try to burn it, smash it, break it, bend it or anything else we can think of. If we can’t do any of the above, we will try to invent a machine that is bigger and mo’ beta’ so we can accomplish our feat.

Now, I know there are already some who are saying we are all equal, but if you really feel that way, then why did God make us so different in the beginning? Do you really want to be equal with everybody else?

I don’t! I like being me! I enjoy the fact that everyday I meet people who are very much the opposite of me. Think of how boring this world would be if all things were the same.

In order to save his family their sanity, I am not going to reveal Hayden’s last name, but suffice it to say his parents and grandparents are very sweet people to know.

I do hear rumored, however, that Hayden may be paying his mom and dad back for his uncle’s past iniquities. It has been rumored that “Hayden’s Uncle” was a ring-tailed tooter when he was little. It does run in the family!

“Hayden’s Mom” works at a school. One day after coming in from a local field trip, a teacher approached Hayden’s Mom and promptly announced that Hayden would no longer be able to participate in field trips.

Hayden’s Mom was shocked and taken aback by the comments from the teacher and began asking what Hayden had done to cause such action. I mean after all, he is only a 4-year-old child!

She was informed that if you could think of it, Hayden had done it. He seemed to cause disturbances with the other students. I don’t know if each detail was shared, but I can only imagine his activities probably included running around, maybe trying to escape the crowd, kicking things and or people, maybe pushing or shoving and no telling what other host of things could be mentioned.

Hayden’s Mom, as with any mother, thought the ban was only temporary, so she promptly asked, “How soon can he participate in the next field trip?”

“Never!” replied the teacher.

“Never?” commented Hayden’s Mom.

“Never!” responded the teacher.

Shocked and stunned that HER little boy had been banned from pre-school field trips at only 4-years-old, Hayden’s Mom took Hayden home and sat him down for a heart to heart talk.

Puffed up and upset, Hayden was sitting next to his mom when she asked him, “Son, what in the world did you do so bad that you got into trouble?”

The male thought process kicked into high gear and he didn’t respond right away.

But after a few seconds and still bowed up and reluctant to answer he announced….

“It wasn’t me! It was my evil shoes that made me do it! My evil shoes made me do evil things!”

Trying to keep her composure she had to chastise him and I don’t know what form of punishment he may have received.

Sneaky little boys wearing evil shoes doing evil things are not unique.

Just ask me. My mom and dad survived raising my brother and me, so there is hope for the male species!

Clifford