May 2015
2120 S. FIRST STREET LUFKIN, TX 75901
Lufkin (936) 639-5566 Nacogdoches. (936) 462-8800
www.huntingtonstatebank.com
FROM THE PEN OF YOUR PRESIDENT:
If you haven’t made your get-away plans yet, it’s not too
late. There are two great trips featured in this newsletter, one or both
maybe exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Make your deposits early
to reserve your spot!
Don’t forget to fill out the Travel Survey and give Patsy your suggestions for trips you want to do in the future.
Got bags? Come go with us.
Chubby Slack
These Very
Important Dates
July 15
Deposit deadline for Fort Smith/Crystal Bridges/
Eureka Springs Fall Tour
Sept. 1
Final payment due on Fort Smith/Crystal Bridges/
Eureka Springs Fall Tour
October 27—31
Fort Smith/Crystal Bridges/Eureka Springs Fall
Tour
October 1
Final payment due on Christmas at Colonial
Williamsburg
Nov. 30– Dec. 5
Christmas at Colonial Williamsburg
Dec. 10
Christmas Gala, Lufkin Civic Center
Travelscope
My, my, this year is half over and it seems like we just began the New Year. I
guess the saying , “time flies when you ‘re having fun” really is true.
We have been very busy since our last newsletter. The Christmas Gala was really
neat with the Maranatha Gospel Group entertaining us. The meal was catered by
Texas Catering and they always do such an awesome job. See our door prize winners below.
A total of thirty-three travelers were on our Christmas excursion to Grapevine,
Texas to hear the Texas Tenors. It was a delightful trip. The Gaylord was decorated
beautifully for the Holidays. The trip certainly put us all in the yuletide mood.
(Group picture not available).
To kick off the New Year, our first trip was the South American Passage. We
flew into Santiago, Chile, boarded our cruise ship and sailed south thru Glacier Alley, the Magellan Strait, to the end of the world and around Cape Horn then back up
to the Falkland Islands, continuing northward, flying home from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Countries visited were Chili, Uruguay and Argentina. See picture across the
page.
Our most recent escapade was to Big Bend National Park. What a phenomenal
experience. Big Bend is Texas’ best kept secret! What such magnificent, natural
beauty our state is blessed with. Pictures nor words are adequate enough for me to
tell you about the area. You must experience it yourself. The next chance you get to
go, don’t pass it up! Great group, great experience. See picture, bottom right.
There are three more trips left for this calendar year. The Rocky Mountains is
coming up in just a few short weeks. Crystal Bridges/Eureka Springs, as well as,
Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas is featured in this newsletter. Let me hear
from you if you plan to travel with us on either of these.
Please take a few minutes and fill out the Travel Survey 2016 and send back to
me as soon as possible. The survey contains suggestions of trips that you and/or your
fellow travelers have given to me over the past year. This will help me plan our
2016 traveling schedule. Your input is very needed. I am thanking you in advance for
helping me develop an exciting calendar for this coming year. Thank you.
Patsy Weaver, Travel Club Coordinator
Door Prize Winners - Christmas Gala ‘14
Those traveling were: from left to right (front row) David and Pam Bowley, Sybil
Self and Pauline Harder. Second row: Linda Milford and Patsy Weaver, Travel
Escort. Third row: Charlene Cortines, Larry Dunham and Rita Bowers. Back
row: Sylvia and Bill Ricks, Barbara Pulaski and Janis Tucker.
Those experiencing Big Bend were: Left to right, front row: Mary Ann Mewbourn,
Carolyn Faulkner, Cheryl Ellis, Agnes Sparks, Sallyann Davis, Gail Husband, Nancy
Phillips and Sherry Conner. Second row, Patsy Weaver, Travel Escort, Jim Mewbourn, Harry Faulkner, Kathy and Tommy Weaver, Eddie and Darliene Catron. Third
row, Judy Winger, Julia McKelvy and Sharon Busbee.
Another Custom Adventure for the Hometown Traveler
Fort Smith / Crystal Bridges / Eureka Springs
October 27 - 31, 2015
Tour Highlights: W alton’s 5 & 10 * Crystal Bridges Museum of
American Art * Thorncrown Chapel * Eureka Springs Touring *
The Holy Land Tour * “Parables of the Potter” * “David the Shepherd” *
The Great Passion Play * Castle Rogue’s Manor * Eureka Springs Tram Tour * ES & NA
Railroad Luncheon * Tram Tour of Dogwood Canyon with Picnic Lunch
* “Lovin Every Minute” Musical Variety Show
Located in the heart of the country in Bentonville, Arkansas, Crystal Bridges explores the unfolding history of America by collecting and exhibiting outstanding
works of art that illuminate our artistic heritage and enrich our understanding and
appreciation of our nation and ourselves. With 120 acres of native Ozark forest, Crystal Bridges’ grounds invite visitors to enjoy the natural environment as a continuation
of their museum experience. The Museum’s distinctive architecture immerses
visitors in the landscape, while three miles of nature trails encourage exploration and
reflection.
What a great Fall tour we have planned to the incredibly scenic Ozark Mountains!
Many of our travelers have requested a tour to see the amazing Crystal Bridges
Museum of American Art and on to Eureka Springs so her e is a custom tour
planned just for the Hometown Travelers.
Imagine yourself walking down a beautiful stone path through the serenity of the
woods. At the end of the trail is the majestic Thorncrown Chapel. The doors open, the
music begins to play, a moment you will remember the rest of your life has begun.
Surrounded by beautiful rock formations and a canopy of trees, the chapel provides a
gorgeous setting in the woods. Thorncrown has 425 windows and a skylight that will
make you feel like you are outdoors in the midst of the Ozark woods.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas has been a popular resort town and vacation destination
since the 1800’s. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas near the
Missouri border, Eureka Springs became known early on for its healing waters, Victorian architecture and historical significance and as a haven for artists. As time went
by first class lodging including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, cabins and cottages,
campgrounds and resorts were built to accommodate visitors who continue to discover
Eureka Springs as a destination. To further the Eureka Springs experience guests to
this historic city can enjoy top Arkansas attractions such as the Great Passion Play, the
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railroad plus live theater and music shows.. Eureka Springs is surrounded by three lakes, two rivers and the majestic Ozark Mountains
and Eureka Springs is home to many award-winning restaurants along with great
shopping opportunities all over the city.
And to top off this exciting tour, with Mother Nature’s assistance, we just may be
hitting the Fall Foliage at its best in the Ozarks. What a perfect five-day motorcoach
adventure to a most unique destination. This tour is expected to sell-out quickly so
make your reservation early. You certainly don’t want to be left behind as your friends
enjoy all the beauty and events the Ozarks have to offer.
$893.00 per person Double * $852.00 per person Triple * $998.00 Single
$75.00 per person due by July 15, 2015 to guarantee your reservation
(100% refundable until September 1, 2015).
Final Payment will be due by September 1, 2015
After September 1st, there will be no refunds unless space is re-sold.
Trip Cancellation Protection is available & recommended.
Cost for this protection is just $79.00 per person double & single.
Tour Price Includes: Meals: 4 Br eakfasts, 5 Lunches & 4 Dinner s * 4 Nights Lodging * Baggage Handling * Admissions to museums, and attractions as mentioned in the
itinerary * All taxes and gratuities for porterage and all included meals
Not Included: Items of a per sonal natur e & customar y end -of-tour gratuity for our
driver.
For further information & reservations:
Patsy Weaver at (936) 633-5110 / Dora or Chelson at (936) 639-5566
Make checks payable to Hometown Travelers Club and mail to:
2120 South First Street, Lufkin, TX 75901 Attn: Patsy Weaver
Day 1 - Tuesday - October 27 (Lunch & Dinner)
7:00 A.M. - Depart Lufkin.
7:45 A.M. - Depart Nacogdoches (morning break enroute).
11:30 A.M. - Lunch in Paris, TX.
2:00 P.M. - Arrive Braum’s in McAlester, OK for afternoon break.
4:00 P.M. - Arrive Miss Laura’s Visitor Center in Fort Smith, AR.
5:00 P.M. - Check into our hotel for a one night stay followed by included dinner.
Overnight: Homewood Suites (479) 452-7100
Day 2 - Wednesday - October 28 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
7:00 A.M. - Bags out & breakfast.
8:30 A.M. - Depart Fort Smith
10:00 A.M. - Arrive Bentonville and Walton’s 5 & 10.
10:45 A.M. - Arrive Crystal Bridges for touring & included lunch vouchers.
2:00 P.M. - Depart Crystal Bridges.
3:00 P.M. - Arrive Thorncrown Chapel for tour.
4:30 P.M. - Check in at Inn of the Ozarks
5:30 P.M. - Depart for dinner and tour at Castle Rogue's Manor
Overnight: Best Western Inn of the Ozarks (479) 253-9768 (3 nights)
Day 3 - Thursday - October 29 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Castle Rogue’s
Manor
7:30 A.M. - Breakfast at the hotel.
8:30 A.M. - Tram Tour of Eureka Springs including the historic Crescent Hotel & Spa.
10:15 A.M. - Time in the historic Shopping District
11:30 A.M. - Lunch and Excursion Ride on the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.
2:00 P.M. - New Holy Land Tour (requires walking, no shuttles available).
5:00 P.M. - Buffet Dinner included at the Great Hall Buffet.
6:00 P.M. - Presentation of “David the Shepherd”.
6:30 P.M. - “Parables of the Potter” short presentation.
7:30 PM. - The Great Passion Play begins
Day 4 - Friday - October 30 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
8:00 A.M. - Breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 A.M. - Depart for Dogwood Canyon.
10:00 A.M. - Tram Tour through Dogwood Canyon followed by picnic lunches.
12:30 P..M. - Depart Canyon & return to Eureka Springs.
1:15 P.M. - Optional drop-off in historic downtown for further exploring & shopping.
5:30 P.M. - Dinner included at Myrtie Mae's Restaurant
7:30 P.M. - All new “Lovin Every Minute” Musical Show performance.
Day 5 - Saturday - October 31 (Breakfast, Morning Break & Lunch)
7:00 A.M. - Bags out & breakfast at the hotel.
8:00 A.M. - Depart Eureka Springs.
9:30 A.M. - Coffee & Cinnamon Rolls at Fergusson’s in St. Joe, AR.
12:15 P.M. - Included luncheon.
3:30 P.M. - Afternoon break.
5:30 P.M. - Approximate arrival in Nacogdoches.
6:15 P.M. - Approximate arrival in Lufkin.
A Custom 1st Class Adventure for the Hometown Travelers
Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg
November 30 - December 5, 2015
Tour Highlights: McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach
*Colonial Williamsburg *Dickens Christmas Dinner
*Celebration in Lights *Berkeley Plantation *Edgewood
Plantation *Busch Gardens Christmas Town
*Jamestown Christmas *Virginia State Capitol * Maymont House Museum with Carriage Ride *Lewis Ginter
Botanical Gardens *Tacky Light Tour of Richmond
December is a magical time to visit Colonial Williamsburg, Amer ica’s lar gest
interactive history museum. The Christmas season comes to life with worldrenowned holiday decorations, and 18th century seasonal programming. Beating
drums, trilling fifes, fireworks displays, theatrical programs and interpretive characters take visitors back in time to celebrate the holidays as our forefathers did during
colonial times.
Traditional Christmas decorations include wreaths and swags, using pine, boxwood, Fraser fir, magnolia leaves, assorted fruits and berries, and dried flowers. Residents of nearly 85 homes in the 301-acre historical area are lit at dusk each evening
during the holiday season.
Colonial Williamsburg is a definite highlight but Christmas Town: Busch Gardens
Celebration transforms the amusement park into a Christmas wonderland combining
an impressive holiday experience with one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities along
with spectacular light displays and a dancing Christmas tree. This, and so much more
awaits the Hometown Travelers Club on this spectacular Christmas tour!
$2,394.00 per person Double * $2,327.00 per person Triple
* $2,695.00 Single
$300.00 per person deposit with reservation
(100% refundable until October 1, 2015)
Final Payment will be due by October 1, 2015
After October 1st, there will be no refunds unless space is re-sold.
Trip Cancellation Protection is available & recommended
Cost for this protection is $187.00 per person double & single
Tour Price Includes: Houston Tr ansfer s * R/T Air Houston/Nor folk
*Deluxe Motorcoach *Full-time Professional Tour Guide *5 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches
& 3 Dinners *5 Nights Lodging *Admissions to museums, and attractions as mentioned in the itinerary; tips for skycaps, bellmen and included meals.
Not Included: Items of a per sonal natur e & customar y end -of-tour gratuity for
local tour director and driver.
For further information & reservations:
Patsy Weaver at (936) 633-5110 / Dora or Chelson at (936) 639-5566
Make checks payable to Hometown Travelers Club and mail to:
2120 South First Street, Lufkin, TX 75901 Attn: Patsy Weaver
Day 1 – Monday - November 30: Ear ly after noon, depart for Country Inn,
Humble, TX .
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Humble, TX
Day 2 – Tuesday - December 1 (Breakfast & Dinner): At 8:30 A.M. our flight
departs Houston Intercontinental, change of planes in Atlanta arriving Norfolk at
1:54 P.M. Meet the group from Austin and board our private motorcoach for a visit
to the Virginia Beach Welcome Center for reception & gifts. Early dinner at Rockefeller’s and then drive along the McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach. This display is two miles long with more than 250 light displays using over 500,000 bulbs.
Check into our hotel after our lights tours.
Overnight: Woodlands Inn & Suites - Colonial Williamsburg (Four Nights)
Day 3 - Wednesday - December 2 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner): Our fir st stop
this morning will be the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center and viewing of the
film “Story of the Patriot.” Then venture into Colonial Williamsburg. From the first
candle in the windows in 1936 to the Grand Illumination celebration every year,
miles of pine roping, truckloads of greenery, and bushels of fresh fruit combine to
give Colonial Williamsburg its much-imitated but never-duplicated charm and elegance. Every year, guests come to see the fragrant handmade decorations that have
become the signature of Colonial Williamsburg's Christmas season.
Our local guides will take us on a tour including the Capitol and the Governor’s
Palace. Virginia’s restored 18th-Century Capitol showcases a variety of restored and
reconstructed homes and public buildings, museums, craft shops, taverns and
special entertainment in its 173-acre historic area.
Enjoy lunch in a Colonial Tavern dining in the heart of historic Colonial Williamsburg. Shopkeepers of the era stocked the latest British cookbooks for “pleasing the
palates of those who have the nicest taste.” These recipes inspire food served in the
taverns. After lunch, spend free time on your own visiting your choice of other buildings and museums included with your ticket. Merchants Square is the shopping hub
of downtown Colonial Williamsburg. Located at the head of Duke of Gloucester
Street, the gateway to Colonial Williamsburg, Merchants Square includes many fine
stores and restaurants. Return to the hotel to relax and freshen up for the evening.
Experience an evening of “Dinnertainment” at historic Boxwood Inn in Newport
News. Dickens Christmas Dinner. Envision a British manor house in December
1870. Christmas is celebrated in the finest traditional sense, complete with "The
Holly and the Ivy", "Deck the Halls", "Gloucester shire Wassail" and "Good King
Wenceslas". Bring on the plum pudding and boar's head and have a Happy Holidays!
Space is always quite limited. After dinner, enjoy the Celebration in Lights, a two
mile drive through spectacular light displays in Newport News.
Day 4 - Thursday - December 3 (Breakfast & Lunch): This mor ning, tour
Berkeley Plantation -Located along the James River, this picturesque plantation was
the setting of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619, and is where "Taps" was
composed. Five terraced gardens, leading from the house to the James River, were
dug by hand before the War of Independence. The rooms in Berkeley are furnished
with a magnificent collection of eighteenth century antiques. Good Housekeeping
magazine suggests: "If you only have time for one plantation, Berkeley should be at
the top of your list." Enjoy an included lunch today at Charles City Tavern.
(next page)
After lunch, arrive at Edgewood Plantation. Enjoy the Christmas Spirit Tour. The
rich, fascinating history creates images of romance, intrigue and antebellum splendor.
An exquisite 7, 000 square foot example of Carpenter’s Gothic architecture,
Throughout its dramatic history, it has served as a church, post office, telephone exchange, restaurant, nursing home and a signal post for the Confederates to spy on
McLellan’s Army. Late afternoon, arrive back to the hotel to relax and freshen up for
the evening. This evening, arrive at Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration.
Experience the park in a whole new light with all-new attractions, dazzling shows and
one-of-a-kind gift ideas that will make everyone say, “Now this is Christmas.” Enjoy
dinner on own this evening at Busch Gardens.
Day 5 - Friday - December 4 (Breakfast & Dinner): J oin in the celebr ation of a
Jamestown Christmas. Experience early Christmas traditions and holiday festivities
as the earliest settlers might have enjoyed. Enjoy a guided tour of Jamestown
Settlement. Jamestown Settlement commemorates the first permanent English settlement in the New World. It features full-size replicas of the three ships that arrived in
1607, as nearly reconstructed as possible to show the size and hardships the hardy
settlers had to face. The reconstructed Jamestown Fort is unique and seems to come
to life with the costumed interpreters present to perform 17th century activities, and
interact with the crowds. Don’t miss the Indian village and wonderful museum exhibits. Enjoy lunch on own today while visiting.
Arrive for a tour of The Virginia State Capitol. Thomas Jefferson’s neo-classical
marvel features a hidden dome, prehistoric fossils in the floor marble and the worldfamous statue of George Washington. Next, tour the Maymont House Museum as you
step into the luxurious world of James and Sallie May Dooley. Their Gilded Age
mansion and its opulent furnishings testify to the tastes and life-style of the Richmond
business tycoon and his wife who built, decorated, and lived here between 1893 and
1925. In its own day, the grand estate gained wide reputation as a showplace. You
may choose to take a carriage ride around the mansion grounds. Enjoy dinner this
evening at Tobacco Co.
Following dinner, take a tour of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. This attraction
boasts extensive displays over nearly 24 acres, an elegant Victorian garden and mansion, exotic Asian garden, a water garden with many native species and a three-acre
lake. Admire the brilliant lights reflecting off a large Japanese-style lily pond, displaying the creative lighting amidst the Gardenfest of Lights. Continue with a Tacky
Light Tour of Richmond, VA. See the holiday lighting traditions of by-gone days as
well as todays dazzling Christmas season displays. Richmonders love holiday tacky
lights. It’s colorful, dazzling, beautiful, zany, and fun. Evening return to our hotel.
Day 6 - Saturday - December 5 (Breakfast): This mor ning we’ll visit the Yor ktown Victory Center. Recapture the drama of the American Revolution. Powerful
galleries tell the story of everyday people who lived during the war. Hear accounts of
Christmas and winter on military encampments during the American Revolution, and
glimpse holiday preparations on a 1780’s Virginia farm.
10:45 A.M. - Arrive at the Norfolk Airport for flights home.
12:40 P.M. - Delta #1233 departs arriving Atlanta at 2:20 P.M.
4:10 P.M. - Delta #1884 departs Atlanta arriving Houston at 5:19 P.M. and transfers
back to East Texas.
Travel Arrangements by SJO-PRO Tours
Please complete this survey and return to:
Patsy Weaver
Hometown Travelers Club
2120 South First Street
Lufkin, TX 75901
REMEMBER:
We go where you want to go……
We do what you want to do
Customized just for you!!
Your input is very important to the club. Our desire is to offer trips
that are of great interest to you. We plan to offer major tours (7 to 14
days), short tours (2 – 6 days), and several day trips a year plus our two
socials – Hometown Hoedown, and our Christmas Gala. The socials
will be in June or July and December.
Below are suggestions only. Please select the tr ips you would
seriously enjoy taking with us. Mar k them with 1 being your favorite, 2 your next preference, 3 your third, etc. and at the end of each section, add your ideas. Do not mark if you are not interested in taking
the trip sometime in the future. Thank you for taking a few minutes to
help us make 2016 an exciting and fun filled year!
DAY TRIPS (When possible - on Saturdays)
The usual day trips will be offered. (Broadway shows, sporting
events, special events, etc.) We would like suggestions for unusual day
trips.
____Dallas Arboretum
____ McKinney, TX
____Painted Churches
____Moody Gardens
(New Iberia area)
____Jefferson with Caddo
Lake cruise
YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR DAY TRIPS::
(Cont. next page)
SHORT TOURS (2 - 6 DAYS)
_____Palo Dura Canyon
_____Florida, St. Augustine, Daytona
Beach, Orlando and Epcot Ctr.
_____Cruise-Bahamas, Nassau
_____Corpus Christi
_____Washington, DC
_____Galveston (July 4—2 nights)
_____Hot Air Balloon Festival
Albuquerque, NM
______Smoky Mountains
_____Ennis, TX, Bluebonnet
Capital of Texas
_____Kentucky Derby
_____Santa Fe, NM
_____Natchez, MS
______Key West, FL
______New Braunfels , TX
YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR SHORT TRIPS:
MAJOR TOURS (7 – 14 DAYS)
_____Hudson River Valley + New
York (Fall)
_____Switzerland and Austria
_____Australia/New Zealand
_____San Miguel de Allende,
_____Columbia/Snake River
Cruise
_____Indiana Amish Country,+
Holland, Michigan Tulip
Festival with 2 nights in
Chicago
_____Pennsylvania Amish
____Exploring the Great
Mississippi River Road
From Dubuque, IA t o Lake
Itasca, Minn.to Manitoba,
Canada
_____Galapagos Islands
_____Pacific Northwest
_____Mackinaw Island
_____Maine
_____Italy-Tuscany Region, Venice
_____Mediterranean Cruise
_____New England during Fall
_____Scandinavian Countries
______Copper Canyon of Mexico
_____ Rhine River Cruise
_____ Holy Land Tour
_____10-Day Canadian Rail from
Vancouver to Toronto
_____Alaska Cruise
YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR MAJOR TOURS:
Name _______________________________________________________
Telephone Number ___________________________________________
June 9-17
Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone –wait list only
Oct. 27-31
Crystal Bridges/Eureka Springs—details this
newsletter
Nov. 30 -
Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas —fly in,
Dec. 5
stay one hotel; featured in this newsletter
Dec. 10
Christmas Gala
Schedule Subject To Change
Thank you.
Return Service Requested
2120 South First Street
Lufkin, TX 75901
Permit No. 265
Lufkin, TX
PRSRT STD
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