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Best
of East Texas Publishers of Lufkin sponsors the “Best of East Texas
Award” to individuals and organizations who have shown initiative
and ingenuity in preserving the history of East Texas.
The award is presented annually in the county where the recipient
lives.
The criteria for the award includes a longtime interest in
preserving East Texas history, work on a historical project of
significance in the individual’s home county, or notable leadership
in historical preservation.
Forms for nominating individual or organizations have been mailed to
County Historical Commissions in 49 East Texas counties. The deadine
for nominations is February 1 of each year.
Past recipients of the award include Bill O’Neal of Carthage, Eliza
Bishop of Crockett, Ralph Wooster of Beaumont, Mattie Dellinger of
Center, James Wilkins of Tyler, Max Lale of Marshall, Willie Earl
Tindall of San Augustine, and Dan Utley of Austin.
The Award, a replica of a old-fashioned water pump, was designed by
noted sculptress Paula Devereau Kurth of Chama and Sante Fe, New
Mexico. She has produced statues of the band Alabama, Thomas J. Rusk
in Nacogdoches, and Arthur Temple in Diboll.
Best of East Texas Publishers is owned by Bob and Doris Bowman of
Lufkin. Mr. Bowman is a current member of the Texas Historical
Commisison and past member of both the Texas Sesquicentennial
Commission and the Texas Capitol Centennial Commission.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are also former chairs of the Texas Council
for the Humanities. Mr. Bowman also writes a weekly historical
column for about 70 East Texas newspapers.
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