A mother's memories

Jan Manshack holds Brat, her 4-year-old cat, while she talks about her son Shane Goldman at her house in Orange on Friday, August 19, 2005. Shane Goldman, a Marine, died in the Iraq War on April 5, 2004.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



Jan Manshack shows photos of her son Shane Goldman at her house in Orange. His body was returned home on his 20th birthday.

Lizard lounge

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


A lizard warms in the sun at Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center in Orange on Tuesday, March 27, 2007. Although the property was severely damaged by Hurricane Rita, the center plans to open to the public in the fall of 2007.

Changing pace and salary

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Jeana Hill (left) talks with customer Raymond Bourgeois (right) as she waits tables at The Old Orange Cafe in Orange on Thursday, May 8, 2008.


Jeana Hill returns menus to the hostess desk at The Old Orange Cafe. Hill graduated with an industrial technology degree from Lamar State College-Orange and will start as an operator at DuPont by the end of May.

Blue Elbow Swamp trail

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Jeff Watson (right) of Cumming, Ga. walks down the observation trail with his daughter Kelsy, 3, at Tony Houseman State Park in the Blue Elbow Swamp behind the TXDOT Travel Center in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Blue Elbow Swamp buddies

A snake slithers past a turtle at Tony Houseman State Park in the Blue Elbow Swamp behind the TXDOT Travel Center in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Blue Elbow Swamp tree frog

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A tree frog rests at Tony Houseman State Park in the Blue Elbow Swamp behind the TXDOT Travel Center in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Blue Elbow Swamp turtles

Two turtles warm in the sun at Tony Houseman State Park in the Blue Elbow Swamp behind the TXDOT Travel Center in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Blue Elbow Swamp garfish

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A garfish waits for a meal at Tony Houseman State Park in the Blue Elbow Swamp behind the TXDOT Travel Center in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Blue Elbow Swamp flower

Flowers bloom at Tony Houseman State Park in the Blue Elbow Swamp behind the TXDOT Travel Center in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Normally I'd post the next week's worth of images as one post, but I'm working on other issues this week. So, I'll post one per day from this series. This series and this image are from my final full day at Beaumont.

Stained glass repairs

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Margaret Desmond, interim pastor of First Presbyterian Congregation, poses for a portrait at the church in Orange on Thursday, May 15, 2008. The stained glass windows and dome of the church are scheduled for repairs and cleaning. The glass images are copies of famous art works.

Sabine River diversions

George R. Dias of Stark, La. powers his boat toward a launch under the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) on the Sabine River in Orange on Thursday, May 8, 2008. Cities in both Texas and Louisiana want to divert water from the Sabine River for their communities.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Shangri La: Gardens

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for Stark Foundation

Shangri La: Education

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for Stark Foundation

Shangri La: Nature

photos by © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for Stark Foundation

Lutcher Theater

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for Stark Foundation

Stark House and Park

photos by © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for Stark Foundation

Stark Museum of Art

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for Stark Foundation

Chris Cole returns to pro football

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
for The Rocky Mountain News

Former Denver Broncos player Chris Cole poses for a portrait at West Orange-Stark High School in West Orange, Texas on Thursday, April 17, 2008. Cole played for Denver from 2000 to 2003.


Former NFL player Chris Cole poses for a portrait at West Orange-Stark High School. Cole moved to Oakland and Jacksonville before retiring. This season, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.


Former Denver Broncos player Chris Cole (right) gets a route from Ken Cole, his father, during practice at West Orange-Stark High School.


Former Denver Broncos player Chris Cole catches a ball during practice with Ken Cole, his father, in West Orange.


Former Denver Broncos player Chris Cole eyes a ball during practice with Ken Cole, his father, in West Orange, Texas.


Former Denver Broncos player Chris Cole catches a ball during practice with Ken Cole, his father, at West Orange-Stark High School.

Please read, "Broncos' recent draft history entirely forgettable" by Lee Rasizer.

Shangri La Ecofestival

Terri Sims (left) and her husband Scot Sims (right) of Orange tour the gardens during the Ecofestival at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange on Saturday, April 26, 2008.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



Volunteer Talbert Meadows (center) introduces Maxine, a 5-year-old barred owl, to visitors during the Ecofestival at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.