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March 13 - March 17
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Around Town
February 27, 2026 - VFW Post 8904 members held a remembrance ceremony on February 27, 2026, before the Shelby County Veterans Memorial in honor of those who served in Operation Desert Storm 35 years ago.
The program was opened by Richard Lundie, Post Two-Year-Trustee, and he offered an opening prayer.
Operation Desert Storm veterans present during the ceremony are (from left): Mike Langford, Sean Martin, and Richard Lundie.
Lundie shared the history, “As part of the Gulf War, on January the 17th 1991 Coalition forces from [34] nations led by the United States began an aerial bombardment of Iraq. This was in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. A week later on January 24th, a ground assault began the liberation of Kuwait and the advancement into Iraqi territories. After 42 days of relentless attacks by the Allied Coalition, in air and ground, President [George H.W.] Bush declared a cease-fire on February 28, 1991, [35] years ago.”
Lundie Continued, "More than 2.2 million service members served during that era and an estimated 604,550 deployed to the Gulf. An estimated 1.16 million veterans from that era are still alive. 148 Americans had died in battle and there were another 145 non combatant deaths and 467 wounded. We have no known casualties in Shelby County for Desert Storm, but many served.”
Lundie inquired of the audience and those participating if there were any Operation Desert Storm veterans present and the three present included himself, Mike Langford and Sean Martin. Each shared a little detail of their experience in service.
Martin then placed the memorial wreath in honor of the Desert Storm Veterans upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
“Our presence here today is a small but heartfelt thank you to Desert Storm Veterans who died during the war and to those who survived and who have since passed, and to those who are still living. If it were not for you gathering here today, this day would have gone unnoticed in Shelby County. The service and sacrifices of these veterans would not have been remembered. We cannot let any group of veterans be forgotten, this is our charge, and again thank you for caring enough to be here today,” said Lundie.
In a final tribute, Taps was sounded presented by Post Member Mike Langford.
February 27, 2026 - The community and Chamber Ambassadors attended the Grand Opening of 4C’s Accessories & Stuff, LaRue pre-Loved Authentic Luxury Bags, and Artful Excell Studio on Friday, February 13, 2026. The businesses offer a collaborative boutique experience where style, creativity and heart come together.
Amanda Treat, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, welcomed everyone attending and shared, “Today is about celebrating entrepreneurship, creativity, and the courage it takes to start and grow a business. Each of these businesses bring something unique and valuable to Shelby County, from style and sustainability to artistry and innovation. They add energy and opportunity to our local economy.” Treat then addressed the owners, “We want to thank you for investing in our town and believing in the community. Your hard-working vision is what keeps us Shelby County going and to everyone here want to remember shop locally spread the word and show your support because that is how we help businesses like these thrive on behalf of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and our ambassadors we're proud to welcome you.”
Feleshia Thompson spoke on behalf of 4C’s Accessories and Stuff describing the many items they offer, “When 4C's started, there's like four girls, and I'm the oldest. So, each of the ‘C’s do something different. I do the custom t-shirts, custom memorials, custom tables. And then we have another ‘C’ that does the wreaths, flower arrangements. And then we have another ‘C’ that bakes the homemade baked goods, which we have red velvet cake, homemade pound cakes, right over there. And then the last ‘C’ we have does the financial funding part of it; the main ‘C’ is our caterer. She does catering. If it wouldn't have been for her, it'd be no ‘C’s. So we appreciate her and my dad today.”
Thompson then invited Candel Cloudy to speak about LaRue Pre-Loved Authentic Bags. “LaRue came about through the "I Love Timeless" and "Authentic Pieces" and I just thought that everyone should be able to own a nice luxury item and not pay the original cost. So, LaRue came through the love of just sustainability, secondhand doesn't mean, pre-love doesn't mean secondhand, it just means you giving a new life to a bag. I just, I want the community to be able to come in and realize that they can buy authentic luxury items at half the cost and they'll be more than satisfied with the items that they purchase here.”
Last to speak was Cory Thompson with Artful Excell Studio. “I’m a travel and studio photographer. My goal is just to provide people with beautiful pictures.” Thompson not only does photography but also videography and is located in the upstairs loft area of the store.
The boutiques are located at 110 Logansport Street, Center, Texas. They are open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 6pm.
Pictured above (from left) are Jerry Agnew, Daryle LaGrone, Vance Jordan and Larry Molloy behind the camera!
February 25, 2026 - Several of the Brothers from Tenaha Masonic Lodge 737 picked up trash along Spur 157 through the city of Tenaha on Saturday Feb. 21.
The Lodge considers it a privilege to serve the City, County and State in their ongoing efforts to keep Texas Highways beautiful! The Lodge has been serving the Adopt-a-Highway program for 16 years with Texas Department of Transportation.
February 25, 2026 - The University of Texas at Tyler announced the students who were named to the fall 2025 Dean's List and three Shelby County students made the list.
From Center, Rena Clark, who is in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Eli Shofner, who is in the School of Nursing, both made the Dean’s List. Also, Jaydaleeya Curtis, who is from Tenaha, made the Dean’s list for the School of Nursing.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must have completed 12 or more credit hours of undergraduate college-level credit in the awarding term with a grade point average of at least 3.75.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.
February 20, 2026 - The community celebrated with Tiger Tea Friday, February 20, 2026, at their location in Tenaha on Center Street.
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and other members of the community gathered at Tiger Tea owned by Tina and Chad Hutto.
Tina Hutto shared that Tiger Tea is open Monday - Friday from 7am to 7pm and they feature Herbalife products.
"Order up!" Tina Hutto (left) and Jody Garza (right) serve an ice cold tea.
There are a variety of Herbalife teas, with multiple flavor options and they expect to be adding more items soon. There are large and medium drinks and kids “Dry” teas available.
Orders can be called in at 936-248-3756 and the Tiger Tea is located at 211 South Center St. in Tenaha next door to Tiger Shack.
February 20, 2026 - (Photo Album) - Tie & Timber Lodge was host to a “Meet the Candidates” event held Monday, February 16, 2026, in Timpson.
Candidates seeking election representative of several different political races were present to meet their constituents and state their intent as they seek office.
Paul Smith, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and he introduced each candidate as they took to the large open stage of Tie & Timber Lodge.
After each candidate had their opportunity to speak, they were available afterward to converse with voters.
Candidates either present or represented by a citizen speaker included candidates for State Representative, District 11: Joanne Shofner, and Roxanne Lathan; Texas State Senate, District 3: Trent Ashby, and Rhonda Ward; United States Representative, District 1: Masika Akilah Ray; Timpson ISD School Board: John Grigsby; Jimmy Metcalf; and Tammy Sparks. Shelbyville ISD School Board, and Democrat County Chair: Patsy Handy; District Clerk: Karen May Matthews, and Dee Dee Green; County Commissioner, Precinct 4: Larry Molloy, and William “Lum” Edwards; County Treasurer: Ann Blackwell; Timpson Mayor: Debra Pate Smith; Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1: Donna Hughes.
February 19, 2026 - In keeping with the Center Garden Club’s goal of sharing natures beauty throughout our community club member Cherry Jones has placed this lovely bouquet at the Community House for all early voters to enjoy.
Submitted by Carolyn Bounds
February 16, 2026 - The 50 Women Impact Group has awarded the 2026 first quarter grant in the amount of $11,000 to Shelby County Outreach Ministries, a non-profit group who began in 1997 feeding the hungry and assisting the needing in Shelby County. What began as a free Thanksgiving meal has now expanded to four programs: The Helping Hands Outreach Center, Meal on Wheels, The Senior Nutrition Site and The Unique Boutique. Through these programs, the organization provides emergency food boxes, assists with utilities, medications, doctor visits, homelessness, and more.
The Fifty Women Impact Group is comprised of women across Shelby County who come together four times each year to donate funds to a non-profit organization in Shelby County. An application is completed, members are provided information regarding each applicant and vote on the quarterly recipient. This quarter's giving brings the groups total grant awards to $354,000 since its start in November of 2017.
Membership in the group has grown to 110 members and is open to any woman who wants to help make a positive difference with a quarterly donation of $100. The approximate $33/month cost increases its impact when added with the donation of all members.
"The power of giving as one" is the motto and the group continues to make a positive difference across the county!
February 13, 2026 - VFW Post 8904 held a ceremony on Friday, February 13, 2026 in remembrance of the sinking of the USS Maine and its crew in Havana Harbor 128 years ago.
Richard Lundie, Post Two-Year-Trustee, offered an opening prayer, and led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. He then spoke about the events of February 15, 1898 impacting the USS Maine and its crew.
"266 crewmen and marines were killed. Spain was blamed for that explosion and the Spanish-American War began as a result. Less than four months later, on August 12th, 1898 the United States won a decisive victory," said Lundie. "This was the first war the United States ever had fought beyond its shores. 3,000 American military were lost, but mostly from yellow fever, and typhoid from fighting in the jungle in the Philippine-American War that followed."
Lundie quoted Teddy Roosevelt who said to his troops as they mustered out, "Enjoy the next 15 days because after that you will be forgotten."
“And they were, and because of that the United States Government refused them the proper medical care,” said Lundie. “These veterans banded together to organize what would eventually become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States."
In memory of those whose lives were lost in the explosion of the USS Maine and the Spanish-American War that followed Ike Reeves, Post Judge Advocate, placed the memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
Lundie said that Shelby County has six veterans who can be connected to the Spanish-American War. The first, Elijah Webb, was born in 1866 in Shelby County and he voluntarily enlisted at the beginning of the Spanish-American War. He was sent to Cuba and then to Manila in the Philippines after that. He served in Company H, 44th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.
“While the Spanish-American War ended in 1898, the first Philippine Republic objected to the terms under which the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain, and the fighting continued there until July 2, 1902,” said Lundie. “During fighting in the Philippines Elijah Webb was killed on June 16, 1900. His body was returned to Shelby County for burial in August 1901.”
Lundie referenced a Houston Post article from August 18, 1901, "On the large box which held the metallic coffin with his name, the number of his company and the cause of his death, which was stated on the box a knife wound to the head. It went on to say that Leige had many friends here and a good crowd witnessed the casket in which rested his remains."
Webb was then buried in the Methodist Cemetery located on Porter Street in Center.
Lundie listed others that served in the Spanish-American War including Edwin Booth who is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson; Brunson Cline who is buried in Carroll Cemetery; Charles Hudson who is buried in the Corinth Cemetery; Charlie Matlock who is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery; and James Mosby Jr. who is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Center.
"Today we honor these local veterans and all other forefathers of our great organization by continuing to fight for veterans rights, and benefits, just as they did," said Lundie.
Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past-Post-Commander.
February 13, 2026 - On Monday, February 9th, the Delta Gamma members of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International presented a patriotic program at Tenaha High School. These women educators from Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby Counties hosted approximately 160 students from Excelsior, Timpson, Shelbyville, Gary, and Tenaha schools. The program was inspired by the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring Dr. Shellie O'Neal in a one-woman show titled "God Bless America: A World War II Radio Hour."
Dr. O'Neal served as the Chair of Theatre at Navarro College for 24 years. After conducting extensive research, she created a fictional portrayal of radio host Sally Brennan. During the 54-minute performance, she sang patriotic anthems while providing historical context for each song. The presentation included humorous commercials from the era, and she interspersed the perspectives of the Founding Fathers with events from World War II.
The Delta Gamma members organized this program to enhance patriotic sentiment and inspire students, teachers, and other guests in attendance.
A special thank you goes to Tenaha's Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Terry Bowlin, and the THS administration for providing a welcoming venue. Additionally, Chip Roberson from Tenaha First Baptist Church assisted with the sound system for the event.
The audience left with a powerful message about how God has blessed America, while the program paid tribute to the many sacrifices made by our ancestors.
Submitted by Carol McMillan
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