Raymond Griffith - The Chief

 

East Tawakoni resident Regina Chandler discusses her father Raymond Griffith, a.k.a., "The Chief" and the effect he had one the community.

Antique Military Weapons & Equipment

 

Rick Ellison, a member of the East Texas Piney Woods Motorpool, has a vast collection of antique military weapons and equipment.  He showed off some of his collection at an annual Veteran's event in Rains County and was nice enough to let me interview him about some of his pieces.  Here's the video:

Classics Round the Square

Here's a quick video at the Classics Round the Square Car Show that takes place annually in Emory, TX.  Antique and custom cars come from all over to compete and show off.  Take a look:

Remembering Rains County with Jannie Stephens

I spoke with east Texas resident Jannie Stephens (and her daughter Connie Lewis) about her life of service in Rains County.  Check out the video:

The Ladybug Signature

Here's a story about the origins of some of the decor at the East Tawakoni City Hall:

East Texas Gem & Mineral Show

Every year the East Texas Gem & Mineral Society hosts their annual Gemstone & Jewelry Show.  Dealers from across Texas and beyond converge on the Tyler Rose Garden Center to sell custom jewelry, unique gem & mineral specimens, rare fossils and other treasures dug from the earth beneath our feet.  I've been to a few of the group's functions and was happy to return for this year's show.  

One of the show's best attractions is the Rock Food Table.  Take a close look at the picture above.  What looks like a delicious spread of fine dining choices are actually all rocks.  Most of the pieces are rocks that just happen to be shaped like certain foods but some of them are polished/finished to complete the illusion.  

The Rock Food Table is currently owned by a member of the ETGMS but originated by a couple in the Gulf Coast region.  A few years back I shot some footage of it for a documentary.  Here's a clip:

Just for fun, I got some updated video on this visit for TikTok.  Here's a quick look at the current Rock Food Table and maybe you can spot some new dishes on display:

@geologyvideo Rocks that look like food #geology #rocks #gemandmineralshow #science #rockfoodtable #earthscience #fyp ♬ Eat It - "Weird Al" Yankovic

Other attractions at the show included a silent auction, a fluorescent mineral display, door prizes, demonstrations and kids games.  We picked up a few new specimens for collection and got a look at some great displays that included petrified wood, lapidary work and other great pieces found by ETGMS club members.

The Geology Department from Stephen F. Austin University was also represented at the show.  Professor Bloxson and one of her grad students were there with information about oil deposits in east Texas and the rocks in the area that contain the oil.  They had great information for young aspiring geologists and anyone else that might have an interest in the subject. 

 

Lake Fork Eagle Count

 

In cooperation with the Texas Park & Wildlife, volunteers participate in an annual midwinter eagle count across the state.  I went along with a group in the Lake Fork and and shot some video.  Check it out: