EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
SPRING PROGRAM
HOLIDAY INN SELECT
TYLER , TEXAS

The East Texas Historical Association held its spring meeting on February 14-16 in Tyler at the Holiday Inn Select. Once again, attendance once was high and enthusiasm even higher. The program began on Thursday with a unique and welcome presentation by Dr. Gordon Jones, a San Augustine native, former Lufkin radiologist, and current resident of Broaddus , Texas on Lake Sam Rayburn. Dr. Jones regaled board members and early-arriving members with his original “cowboy poetry” on “Cowboys, Indians, and Louis L'Amour.” His presentation was most definitely a hit and perhaps he will entertain us with a longer program at a future meeting.

The meeting's full program began bright and early on Friday morning at 8:00 and closed with the luncheon session on Saturday. Program chairs Linda Cross and Jeff Owens arranged twenty sessions ranging from the history of the Tyler Rose Festival to the unique development of sacred harp singing. The approximately two hundred attendees were all treated to sessions that presented variety, interest, and plain “old fashioned” fun. Dr. Jimmy Bryan, Jr., of Lamar University gave the keynote speech at Friday night's banquet entitled “Manly Tales and Texas Lore—Walter P. Lane and the Storytelling Traditions of Nineteenth Century Adventurism,” a well-received talk that was a provocative insight into how the historical tradition of “adventurism” creates legends and myths that often find their way into the historical record as fact. The highlight of the meeting was the Saturday luncheon and our Executive Director, Dr. Archie P. McDonald's address, “Dan Utley Never Picked Cotton” (the text of that message is included in the current edition of the Journal ). To say that his talk was well-received does not do it justice as Dr. McDonald was feted with a standing ovation, a deserved “log cabin” award for his thirty-seven years of fabulous and dedicated service, and even a chorus of “For He's A Jolly Good Fellow.” All who attended were no doubt touched not only by Dr. McDonald's gracious speech but also by the heartfelt appreciation for him by the ETHA's members.

An ETHA meeting would not be complete without awards and the Tyler meeting was no exception. The Lucille Terry Award went to Rob and Becky Wanger for their amazing preservation of Tyler 's historic Fitzgerald House. The Wanger's (along with curator Linda Miller) devoted efforts to restore and save such a notable structure was truly inspiring. Last but certainly not least, the Ralph Steen Award went to Ms. Portia Gordon, the Association's long-time secretary/treasurer, an award that was overdue and most decidedly well deserved. As most all of you no doubt know, Portia is the person who keeps the ETHA office organized and efficient; I would say a “well-oiled machine,” and it would be if Dr. McDonald and I did not so often keep Ms. Gordon from her duties. I can say without hesitation that our meetings, programs, finances, and the Journal owe most of their proficiency and professionalism to Portia's tireless service and allegiance.