Tyler TX Facebook

Follow Donny on Twitter

Username:
Password:
  Remember Me   Forgot password?  Register
0-9  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  

Find or Refer a Contractor in Tyler

Rose Stadium Full of History, New and Old

July 17th, 2012

So rumor has it Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium (or better known as just Rose Stadium) is getting new turf. Really, this may not seem like a big deal to most people but when you stop and think of the some of the big named athletes who played on the old stomping grounds, perhaps the historical significance will start to settle in a little bit.

The stadium holds a capacity of 14,000 fans and serves as home stadium to the John Tyler Lions, Robert E. Lee Red Raiders and the Tyler Junior College Apaches.

Fans have developed fond memories at the stadium, like watching the Red Raiders dominate their way to a state championship in 2004, or the Lions 10 years prior to that. If you go further back, you might remember Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell and his trunk-sized thighs* running over defenses and anybody and everybody in his way. Yeah, it’s safe to say the Tyler Rose left his mark in that stadium in more ways than one, actually probably several hundred ways.

Putting in new turf would also require tearing out the track which is also named after the Heisman Trophy winner and many Tylerites were quick to show their disapproval.

At any rate, as big of an historical figure as Campbell is to the city and the stadium, others have written their names in the history books under the Rose Stadium lights.

Past and present NFL players who played their home games at rose Stadium include Matt Flynn, Aaron Ross, Gary Baxter (hey, he was a good high school player.), Kendall Hunter, Robert Ferguson and more.

Then there are guys who played away games there, guys like Matthew Stafford, Adrian Peterson, Josh McCown, Luke McCown and others.
Regardless of what happens at Rose Stadium; new or old turf, the memories and the history will still be there. Regardless, new grass and soil has come and gone, as have new athletes. Instead of saying goodbye to history, embrace it but also enjoy watching new history be made. Go out to Rose Stadium and let it unfold before your very eyes. That way, as history unfolds, many years from now, you can tell your kids and grand-kids you saw their favorite athlete when he was only in high school.

Just think of how much you’d be kicking yourself if you turned down a chance to see Adrian Peterson in high school.

*Side note: John Madden once said, “From the waste down, Earl Campbell has the biggest legs I have ever seen.” Thanks John.

Coming up with Christmas gift ideas for 2010

December 2nd, 2010

Christmas 2010 gift ideasUsually during Christmas time I have a very hard time buying gifts.

As you get older and your friends and family get older many of them pretty much have everything they want already.

And I sure ain’t going to be buying no one a big screen TV or something like that unless its my wife. I already know she doesn’t want that so not going to be doing that.

Here are a few ideas both local to Tyler and a couple on the internet that work out great for finding gifts.

Tuesday Morning in the shopping strip that you find Cotton Patch restaurant has great affordable gifts to choose from. They are right across from Robert E Lee highschool and may be just the shopping store your looking for.

Don’s TV and appliances is a locally owned TV and appliance store by a good family in Tyler Texas. You have likely seen most of them on their corny TV commercials. If you run in to them in town try to not bring up the commercial, they may have heard that one a time or two. They have good deals on their TV’s and kitchen appliances and if your buying a lot they might drop that price a little more for ya.

Regarding buying Christmas gifts online the neat thing to do this year is buy a unique hand made gift online from a website called Etsy (etsy.com). Some people in my family did this and you may come away with a cheap price tag but a cool gift. Also a website called thinkgeek (thinkgeek.com) offers really off the wall Christmas 2010 gifts like the fresh water fish training kit I bought for my father n’ law last year. For some reason it’s still boxed up.

For a really cool gift idea or two that is kinda pricey you could buy an Ipad for a toddler and spouse. Make it a combo. The stuff adults can do on an Ipad are endless but kids and toddler games are only about $3 each and they are extremely intuitive and educational. In fact I would go so far to say the Ipad will stomp on any of those fake looking toddler laptop games you see at the Tyler Target and Walmart.

Well I hope this has given you a little food for thought regarding this 2010 Christmas gift idea solution here in little old Tyler Texas. And without sounding too holy be sure to support a Christian missionary this Christmas season working in a muslim country.

Ipad Demonstration Video Showing a Toddler Playing Games

Ipad Good Toy For Toddlers to Play With Video

Big Lots by the Mall in Tyler, TX

January 27th, 2010

4400 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703-1303
(903) 581-7477‎

I love Big Lots. I am a huge fan of the concept of selling overstocked and discontinued items at an awesome price. They keep a regular supply of most items you would find in a small convenience store such as trash bags and socks, but a large part of their inventory is constantly changing. They always have soaps and shampoos, but maybe one day you’ll find a really nice brand for cheap and not the next week. 

Big Lots in Tyler Texas

Big Lots near Robert E. Lee High School

 Regardless of the inventory changes, one thing stays constant. The prices at Big Lots are always cheaper than comparable stores. It also maintains the fun feel of treasure hunting almost like shopping at thrift stores.

This Big Lots is located on South Broadway across the street from the Mall and right next door to Robert E. Lee High School. It shares a parking lot with Michael’s, the arts and crafts store, and T.G.I.Friday’s, along with a dozen other smaller single location stores. This location is a great convenience for when you want to go to several stores on the same trip into town. I go to this one when I am looking for gifts, because if I can’t find something good at Big Lots I can head over to Michael’s or the half-price used book store in the same lot. The problem with this store’s location is the traffic. I can only assume that the intersection of South Broadway and Loop 323 is the busiest intersection in Tyler. This happens to be where Big Lots is located. Almost any time of the day, it is hard to navigate through this area. If you are traveling via the loop, you have to be prepared to choose the turning lane a few stoplights before you get to the intersection. Once in the parking lot, you still can’t relax until you have stopped, because this lot seems to be a collecting spot for all of the impatient people in Tyler.

A fun addition to your trips to Big Lots in the Spring and Summer is that right outside of Big Lots going towards Loop 323 there are usually a couple of guys selling produce. They’ll often be selling watermelons and oranges and then whatever else happens to be in season. 

Robert E. Lee Highschool Tyler TX

Robert E. Lee Highschool

 Even if you aren’t in the mood for fruit, these guys will usually give you a huge East Texas smile and greeting just for acknowledging them.

While, the other Big Lots store in Tyler has a full furniture show room, this store location does not. This branch sells furniture to be assembled at home. They have book shelves, entertainment centers, glider rocking chairs, small dressers and other things along this line. Most of these are very attractive and afford-ably but are made of the non-durable press board. Though, for something like a small bookshelf, this store offers almost exactly what you need and will beat the price of most other stores with similar products.

I’ve also been impressed with their small electronics section near the front. They have standard computer accessories like mice and USB cables. This section has regular and rechargeable batteries. My favorite item that I’ve found here, though, is a set of burnable CDs. 

Big Lots in Tyler

Big Lots in Tyler

 A couple of times that I’ve gone, they’ve had incredible deals on blank CDs. The problem is you have to be willing to check and understand that with this kind of store there is not much guarantee that they will have the item you wanted.

One last feature about this location I should fill you in on is their bedding section. If you are in the market for new sheets for your bed, then check out Big Lots first. The section can be a little messy because most of the sheet sets are the only one like them in the store. It should be divided into bed size, but look around in the whole section. You can sometimes find really high thread count sheets sets for less than half the cost of other retail stores. The bottom line is that you should give Big Lots a few shots. Visit the store a few different times and at least see if it is a good fit for your personality and shopping needs. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.