LONGVIEW, Texas — As Doug and Paula Stockton sat in the lobby of their longtime business, Piney Woods Gymnastics Center in Longview, the phone kept ringing in the background. The messages played out loud, with one caller congratulating them on their retirement.
The couple closed the business this month after opening 46 years ago in Longview 46. Paula previously retired after experiencing some serious health issues, and Doug is retired now, too. They've already sold the building and the equipment. The couple had decided they didn't need to have a "big brouhaha," but the parents of their students insisted on throwing a party this past weekend.
And the couple decided they should post something on the gym's Facebook page about the retirement party. That prompted the calls — former parents and students, business friends and judges they worked with over the years, wishing them well, congratulating and reminiscing about their time at Piney Woods.
Read more from the Longview News-Journal.