Robinsons honored for involvement

Randall and Susan Robinson Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear 2008

Some things about the annual YesterYear celebration will be changing this year. Looks like YesterYear will be coming home for homecoming in October of 2008.

And the King and Queen -- or as they are better known, Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear -- chosen to reign over this year's festival are Randall and Susan Robinson. They will be honored at a tea on Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Whitehouse United Methodist Church. The public is invited.

The Robinsons were nominated because of their many contributions to the community through the school district, city and their church.

While their efforts to provide a path for growth and prosperity to the area are evident through their work in all of these means of service, they are "Old Whitehouse" at their foundation.

The Robinsons live in one of the few remaining historic homes in Whitehouse. The property where Dr. Bell's home was built was purchased in 1906. Randall purchased the home in 1980 and began the long and daunting task of restoration.

Randall's family moved to Whitehouse when he was in the fourth grade. He graduated from WHS in 1971. Following several years in the state comptroller's office in Dallas and Tyler he went into business for himself.

During a social hosted by the Single United Methodists at Lake Palestine Randall met his future bride Susan. The couple just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in March.

Like their steadfast home, the Robinsons' faith in God is also strong. They have served in many ways at the Whitehouse United Methodist Church over the years. Susan has been a Sunday School teacher for over 10 years. Randall has served as church treasurer for more years than he can remember and both have swung many a hammer and eaten many a sandwich in a backyard with youth somewhere during U.M. Army (United Methodist Action Reach-Out Mission by Youth).

Pinewood Derby, den mother and Venture Crew trips are just a few of their memories of the days in scouting as their son Michael came up through the ranks to finally achieve his Eagle Scout.

Randall has served both the city and school district in elected leadership roles for quite some time. He is in his 17th year on the board of trustees of Whitehouse ISD and served nine years on the city council.

The barbecues thrown by the Kiwanis Club have been where the Robinsons have been seen most during past YesterYear celebrations. Many pounds of brisket and beans have been served through the bay doors of the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department over the years, and they were there with aprons on.

Service to their community is the resounding word used again and again to describe this couple and to honor them in the next YesterYear celebration which will begin a new era for the festival.