Everything Nac

Ben Abernethy, Maggie Abernethy-Duffin and LuAnna Cole recently visited Stephen F. Austin State University to accept The Stone Fort Museum’s 2015 Cum Concilio Club Heritage Preservation Award in honor of their father, the late Dr. Francis “Ab” Abernethy, Nacogdoches author and historian.

“The award recognizes Dr. Abernethy for his vision and perseverance in the development of the Lanana Creek Trail,” said Carolyn Spears, director of the Stone Fort Museum, “and for preserving the historic landscape and the stories that connect us with our shared history.”

Born in 1925, Abernethy received his Bachelor of Arts from SFA and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Louisiana State University. He studied history, music, literature, folklore, and nature’s flora and fauna. The award was given to Abernethy for his more than 20 years spent carving out the Lanana and Banita Creek Trails.

The Stone Fort Museum Heritage Preservation Award was established in honor of the Cum Concilio Club and its dedication to preserving the Nacogdoches cultural and historic landscape. The award is presented biennially to an individual (or group) who has made significant contributions to state and local heritage preservation.

Princesses from across East Texas are invited to don their best dress and sip tea with old and new friends during the SFA Garden’s annual Little Princess Tea Party slated for Saturday, April 9, in the Stephen F. Austin State University Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden.

“The tea party introduces people to nature and gardening in a new and enjoyable way. People who might not normally spend time outdoors love coming to the Little Princess Tea Party,” said Elyce Rodewald, tea party organizer and SFA Gardens educational programs coordinator. “Many people and organizations work together to bring this special day to the community, including SFA Gardens staff members and student workers, Nacogdoches Junior Forum volunteers, Alpha Psi Omega and others.

“This year, the Little Princess Tea Party is sponsored by Boyette Consulting. Dr. Cheryl Boyette created the original party over 10 years ago and has been involved in this magical event ever since.”

One hundred tickets are available and will be split between two tea party sessions. The first session will be at 10 a.m. and the second at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person.

“The tickets sell out very quickly each year,” Rodewald said. “It seems that everyone enjoys dressing up, especially the young princesses. Some spend hours, days or even weeks planning what to wear.”

The tea party isn’t solely about playing dress up, although that is a definite perk for partygoers. The event allows young participants to practice budding social skills, increases time with family in a fun environment and offers the chance to soak in the beauty of the natural world.

“Princesses are intelligent, kind, brave, generous, loyal, magical, polite and strong,” Rodewald said. “Children who spend time playing and using their imagination are building important skills for adult life. The tea party also is a wonderful opportunity for children to spend special time with mom, grandmother or an aunt.”

Princess or fairy apparel is encouraged at the Little Princess Tea Party. Participants will be treated to tea party snacks, music, a garden visit and stories. Tickets can be purchased online at sfagardens.sfasu.edu.

For information, call (936) 468-1832 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

Volha Minich, Stephen F. Austin State University human anatomy and physiology lecturer, explains the effects of radioactivity to several high school students in the “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” session during STEM Day 2016.

More than 230 high school students from 12 Texas school districts attended the annual SFA science, technology, engineering and mathematics event on Friday, Feb. 26, hosted by the STEM Research and Learning Center on the SFA campus.

Sponsored this year by Lockheed Martin, the event has brought more than 1,300 students during the past five years to the university to spend a day engaging in hands-on, inquiry-based science and mathematics in a cooperative learning environment. An SFA faculty member led each session with support from university undergraduate and graduate students.

Scott Thompson, an engineer with Lockheed Martin’s Lufkin operations facility, volunteered as a judge for the afternoon activity of designing, building and testing catapults.

“Students investigated photosynthesis, chemistry transformations in culinary arts, and mathematical patterns in nature and the military,” said Dr. Jana Redfield, assistant director of the STEM Research and Learning Center in the SFA College of Sciences and Mathematics. “They also worked on creating computer games and much more.”