Museum of the Gulf Coast gets TV highlight

Our own Museum of the Gulf Coast looked great in the recent “Mysteries at the Museum” feature on The Travel Channel. The pieced discussed Karen Silkwood, a former local who some say may have been run off the road on her way to meet a journalist about unsafe working conditions in an Oklahoma plant.

The Museum includes her handbag in its notable people display.

Now more people will know about our wonderful museum.

Another honor for Sangri La

I confess, I was one of those people who had heard great things about Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, but hadn’t been myself. Now that I have taken in this masterpiece, I’m doing my best to make sure Golden Triangle residents take a peek so they can brag about it to visitors. The birds, the flowers, the water, the walkways and the educational features for children are amazing. I don’t care how much you know about our habitat, you’re bound to pick up a few new ideas.

Earlier in May, Shangri La staff members attended the 20th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards ceremony in Austin. These awards are part of efforts by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to protect people and Texas' natural resources while ensuring clean air, clean water and safe management of waste. Shangri La was the 2012 award recipient of the Environmental Excellence Award in the Education category.

The staff reports that during the award ceremony, a short film showcased each winner's contribution to its respective category. The Shangri La video began with a scene of the heronry, showing great egrets taking flight.

Visit the gardens at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange. They are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 409.670.9113 or visit www.shangrilagardens.org.

Museum of the Gulf Coast

Print this

A woman handed me a blank note pad and walked off. Someone said she was Gwen Park of Port Neches and runs a print shop. She hands out pads she makes from scraps, just to be nice. Who doesn’t love note pads?

Turns out I wrote about Ms. Park ages ago, and she’s now looking to sell her business. For now, she said wedding napkins are popular purchases, in blue and red.

“You think they’d pick white, but not very often,” Park noted.

ddoiron@panews.com