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Rated G. Movie ends 9pm
Closed Wednesdays, Thursdays
Box office opens at 7:00pm. Showtime at 7:30pm.
Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children.
Senior Citizen's Night
Mondays - $6 Admission
Around Town
March 22, 2021 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society's goal is to help you become a better photographer and give you a place to meet others who share your passion for photography. Featuring programs and activities with information and instruction for all skill levels in an environment of support and cooperation.
The PWPS meetings are held every third Saturday of the month, at the First United Methodist Church, Center, TX from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome to attend, with or without a membership. For more information on meetings or memberships contact Billie F. Jones (936) 591-2426.
The workshop for March was tips and techniques on photographing "Flight in Motion". The monthly challenge "Architecture" features photos submitted by members for critique and voting for favorites. To view all the Challenge photos, visit our Flickr page or visit our facebook page for more info and posts.
March Challenge "Architecture" Favorites
1st Place favorite - Bobbie Jean Wood, "Staircase"
2nd Place favorite - LeaAnn Robertson, "Mesa Mansion"
3rd Place (Tie) favorites - Summer Koltonski, "A Simple Church"
3rd Place (Tie) favorites - Melvin Henson, "Ceiling"
March 18, 2021 - The President of the United States has issued a proclamation ordering the flag of the United States to be displayed at half-staff from now until sunset on March 22, 2021 as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 16, 2021 in the Atlanta Metropolitan area.
View the proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/18/a-proclamation-on-honoring-the-victims-of-the-tragedy-in-the-atlanta-metropolitan-area/
March 18, 2021 - During a Chamber ribbon cutting held March 18th, Shelby County Outreach Ministries Executive Director Sherry Harding gave much thanks and appreciation to those who have supported them during their construction project to repair major damage from Hurricane Laura which hit in late August of 2020.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors attended the ribbon cutting sharing their support and congratulations. Ambassador President Stephanie Elswick started the event, "I would like to congratulate everyone that is responsible for the Unique Boutique opening again. From all of the ambassadors to you, we are so proud, so proud of you." She then read a quote, "God is working things out for you even if you don't feel it. Have faith and be thankful. Where faith and hope grows, miracles happen."
Harding then spoke about the history of the non-profit organization, Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc., which has been in operation for over 24 years serving the Community. She gave statistics for 2020, "We issued over 15,000 meals to our senior citizens. We have given out 2,386 emergency food boxes which feed over 5,146 people just through our emergency food boxes. And we met over 2,885 needs of the people in this community. It costs us over $300,000 to run our programs every year. As everyone knows, last year was challenging. We survived on fundraisers and donations, and everyone can understand that was challenging last year and we still deal with some challenges this year. But it is just amazing, just like God in our precious word how Jesus took the bread and the fish and multiplied it... He's multiplied it here."
Harding gave special thanks to her wonderful staff at the Unique Boutique who are Floye Parker (Program Director), Shirley Blue, and Thea Perkins. She gave thanks to the Shelby County Outreach Ministries Board of Directors who are Larry Cruse, President; Sammy Arnold, Vice President; Amy Clouse, Secretary; Ann Blackwell, Treasurer; and board members Donna Monroe, Larry Byrd, Karen Jones, Felecia Thompson, Kristie McClelland, and Donald Monroe.
She also recognized Cody Russell with Texas Roof Support, "Cody Russell has been our contractor over this whole ordeal and, we lost everything guys, we basically had to start from the floor up. So thank you Cody for all the extra work. He has really been a blessing to us."
From left: Tim Wulf, Sammy Arnold, Sherry Harding, Lion's Club President Alan Ricketson, Danny Paul Windham, and Bobby Pig.
Plaques of appreciation were presented to organizations who helped with the recovery efforts. The 'Servants Heart Award' was presented to the Lions Club for their donation. She added about the Lions Club, "Because of their efforts, we're going to be able to continue to feed the hungry and assist the needy." She read a scripture she had printed on the plaque, "In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Other 'Servant's Heart Award' plaques of appreciation were made for the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and The United Way who both contributed to the deductible for the repairs.
The last plaque presented by Harding honored the beginnings of Outreach Ministries, "I don't feel that it would be appropriate if I didn't acknowledge Ms. Pam White who started this program many years ago. And so I called it the 'Hall of Fame Award' and our motto striving to be the hands and heart of Christ and as everyone knows she passed away at 52 years old. So today we acknowledge her and honor her for all of her efforts. And I thank God for the opportunity to serve the people in this community and our prayer is that this place will continue to help those in need."
Cody Russell, Texas Roof Support
March 18, 2021 - The events of the last year or so have given a fresh perspective on what we value as a society, on who we turn to in times of need and crisis. Healthcare professionals have been nothing short of heroic in their efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Without their skills, knowledge, and selfless, caring attitudes, the suffering would have been much worse.
Against this backdrop, the addition of Certified Nurses Day to the National Today calendar is a very timely one. Certified Nurses are experts who dedicate themselves to delivering quality care to those in need. The holiday is celebrated on March 19 — the birthdate of Dr. Margretta 'Gretta' Madden Styles, a pioneer in nursing certification.
March 15, 2021 - Aurora Concepts Family Medical Practice performed a mass inoculation for COVID-19 at the John D. Windham Civic Center on Friday, March 5, 2021.
The clinic had Pfizer-Biontech vaccinations to give and began giving injections at 8am in Foster Conference Hall. Over 1,200 individuals were able to be vaccinated with their first round.
Those receiving shots were processed through quickly, received their injections and waited for 15 minutes on the other side of the room for observation. Once their time was complete, they left and the cycle continued every thirty minutes until the end of the day.
The second round of injections for those which participated on March 5 will be Friday, March 26. The process will be exactly the same with everyone having the same appointment times, and those returning for their second injection will need to supply the CDC card which they received following their first inoculation.
Aurora Concepts has received Moderna vaccine this week for first dose vaccines. If you haven't received a vaccine, they can be contacted at 936-598-3296 to schedule an appointment.
Women’s Reading Club members include (back row, left to right) Deborah Chadwick, Mary Lynn Tinkle, Stephanie Elswick, Sue Russell, and Billie Sue Payne; (front row, left to right) Jane Morrison, Fannie Watson, Montie Wagnon, Bonnie Lucas, and Dottie West. (Photo by Ginia Hooper)
March 15, 2021 - Stephanie Elswick presented this month’s book review at the Women’s Reading Club meeting. Her review was on “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier. Portions of her review and quotes from the book included:
“Rebecca” was written by Daphne Du Maurier in 1938. It is a classic tale of romantic suspense. The novel was adapted into a movie which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This famous director also directed a movie from another one of Ms. Du Maurier’s books called “The Birds.”
“She has been called one of the great shapers of popular culture and the modern imagination. In 1969 she became Dame Daphne Du Maurier.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again. I no longer live in my beautiful Manderly. The world of Manderly. The world of beauty. The world of mystery.
“I am not the beautiful, elegant Rebecca De Winter. I don’t even have a first name in this novel. It’s not necessary. As I am but a shadow behind Rebecca.
“I am the storyteller. I am the second Mrs. Maxim De Winter. Rebecca was the first.
“I married Maxim De Winter in a rather hasty manner while visiting Monte Carlo. I did not have any kind of idea of who I was or what I wanted to become. At that time, I was serving as an assistant to a very old, very rich woman. I was flattered by Maxim’s intense attention. I never really received attention from anyone. I had no family. I was always the quiet one in the corner. Until, one day, I was thrust into Maxim’s world. Rebecca’s world. I was black and white. People that knew Rebecca painted her as a vivid rainbow. I was nothing but a frump.
“I feel so much older now. Although I haven’t aged another year since marrying Maxim. The drama that has unfolded within the first year of our marriage has made me grow up. Rebecca’s murder turned me into a much older woman.
“Manderly was our home. But it was Rebecca’s home first. Our housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, made sure that Rebecca was everywhere in our house. She loved Rebecca. She hated me. The feeling is mutual. Mrs. Danvers made my life in Manderly so miserable. She unsuccessfully tried to get me to commit suicide. She also unsuccessfully tried to split Maxim and I up on several occasions.
“Mrs. Danvers held the power of Rebecca over me until, one day, Rebecca’s body was dredged up from the sea. She was in her boat. Supposedly, Rebecca was an excellent sailor. So how and why did she drown? We were in shock.
“My husband originally told me that Rebecca drowned one year ago. He had identified the body.
“But now, things are different. Maxim made a mistake. A life changing mistake.
“Suddenly we were surrounded by the press, as well as detectives and judges. The obvious questions were asked. Why did Maxim identify the first body as Rebecca? Didn’t he know his own wife’s body? Again, how on earth could Rebecca drown? She was a well-respected sailor. She would never leave the helm of her boat during a storm.
“Among all of this cloud of confusion an odd feeling came over me. I was no longer afraid of Rebecca. I no longer felt obliged to Rebecca. Suddenly, SHE was the shadow. I became the lady of Manderly. I gave Mrs. Manderly orders with confidence. I changed my wardrobe to reflect the money that I had married into. I no longer minded entertaining visitors in Manderly. My house.
“Along with this new and glorious feeling of release, my relationship with Maxim literally changed overnight. He no longer treated me like a child that is 25 years his junior. I was his equal now. His partner. His lover.
“We navigated through this dramatic experience together. We protected one another from her.
“The true story of how Rebecca drowned was unraveled. The unraveling did lead to intense changes in several lives.
“Especially in the memory of a past life. Rebecca’s life.”
Article by Stephanie Elswick
Carmen Whitaker (far left seated) with her mother, Nettie Peters, standing behind her are with family, friends, and fans.
March 12, 2021 - A new book author from Shelby County gave an official introduction to her first publication at a book signing event hosted graciously by Chelle Mooney inside her shop Mooney's Emporium on February 27, 2021. With southern hospitality which included cookies and other refreshments, Carmen Whitaker visited with all who stopped by to purchase or just visit with her about her book 'A Living Hope.'
Whitaker agreed to an interview with Shelby County Today about her authorpreneurial journey.
"It is a contemporary Christian fiction book. It has heavy tones of Christianity in it." Whitaker advises it took her a little over a year to finish and publish the book. With the help of her mom, Annette, they did the editing themselves. "I tried using a professional editor and it felt yucky to me. I sent my writing off to them and they wanted to cut stuff out that I thought was important. I write the way I speak so there are some errors in there but they are on purpose."
"I think it is all a matter of context. If I were writing a paper for a college professor or for a newspaper publication but I'm writing a fictional story about people I want the reader to relate to as real."
When asked if COVID-19's quarantine prompted her book writing, Whitaker responded, "I had started it three or four months before quarantine really took over. But I have always loved to write and I've always dreamed of writing and getting a book published. I have countless first chapters written in my laptop, started many, many, many manuscripts and after a chapter or two, I just kind of lost interest and moved onto another.
"I home school my two youngest now and I'm pretty much home all the time and I just one day felt inspired and sat down and started writing. Really, I would say it was integrally God led because everything I have written came directly from Him."
Whitaker shared about her love of books and how past health issues which required brain surgeries affected her ability to enjoy books the same, "I've always loved books and I've always been a voracious reader and then all my brain surgeries and stuff, my neurological conditions have made it very difficult for me to read. I can't focus visually the way I used to. It's hard for me to really read, sit down and read a book. So, I do a lot of audio books and I am hoping that at some point I'm going to get 'A Living Hope' on audio for folks like me who have trouble with actual type print."
"Another reason why I say the book was really God led is because as much trouble as I have had just sitting down and reading, I also don't schedule my writing. If I feel led to write, I write."
Whitaker utilized Amazon to self-publish. Her decision to self-publish wasn't made litely. "I learned a lot about the publishing process through this. Modern technology has definitely changed the way publishing looks these days. Self-publishing does give you more freedom as a writer. I wasn't willing to compromise the message that I wanted it to give, it is a contemporary Christian fiction book. It has heavy tones of Christianity in it and I wasn't willing to compromise that for any editor or publisher. Which is good in some ways and bad in some ways. There are many people who do not do a lot of editing when they self-publish so it can give self-published books a bad name but if you are willing to put in the work, I think self-publishing is the way to go."
Whitaker expressed how much she has enjoyed the feedback she has received from her readers who are loving the characters, "The world is a scary place, so, if they can find some kind of comfort, joy, and hope in something I've written then that makes me really happy."
"People who didn't even really know me, they bought the book off of a recommendation from someone they knew and they loved it. They've given me great reviews and told their friends. I appreciate everybody, every single person who has ever even said the title. It really does just mean so much to me that people are enjoying it and helping me get the word out. It's a dream come true!"
The interview came to a conclusion with Whitaker saying, "Everyday I'm just endlessly thankful and blessed. I give the Lord all the glory!"
'A Living Hope' is available for purchase on Amazon here.
March 10, 2021 - The Tracy Andrus Foundation is currently accepting applications for those who have received a rental eviction notice from the courts and those who have received disconnection notices from their utility company. You must have an annual income below 50% of the median family income determined by HUD in your county.
The Tracy Andrus Foundation is an equal opportunity provider servicing clients in Harrison, Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby Counties with possible financial assistance for rent and utilities. Our mission is to assist the poor, uneducated, and at-risk vulnerable populations to equip them to visualize their full potential.
Tracy Andrus Foundation endeavors to educate, employ, and empower its program participants while assisting them with shelter, education, and financial assistance. Tracy Andrus Foundation aspires to create environments where violence and domestic abuse are not tolerated.
Please contact Dr. Tracy Andrus at (903) 471-8674 or email TAFassist@gmail.com.
Tracy Andrus Foundation
303 West Burleson St.
Marshall, Texas 75670
March 10, 2021 - Twenty-two years ago, on March 24, 1999 NATO launched an air campaign called Operation Allied Force to halt the humanitarian devastation that was then unfolding in Kosovo. The decision to intervene followed more than a year of fighting within the province and the failure of international efforts to resolve the conflict by diplomatic means.
NATO announced the suspension of the air campaign on June 10, 1999 once it had concluded a military technical agreement with the federal republic of Yugoslavia.
NATO casualties were light, and the alliance suffered no fatalities as a result of combat operations.
VFW Post 8904 and the Auxiliary will conduct a wreath laying ceremony in honor of those who served in Kosovo at the Veteran’s Memorial on the grounds of the 1885 Historic Courthouse in Center on Wednesday, March 24th at 10:00 a.m. As always, the public is invited to honor their fellow Americans.
Attendees are asked to please wear a mask. Questions please contact post quartermaster Larry Hume, 936-332-0349 or email chiefhume95@gmail.com.
Click image to enlarge
March 9, 2021 - Shelby County Aggie Moms recently went to College Station to meet the Shelby County Aggies for supper at BJ's and to deliver goody bags to encourage them as they approach mid-terms. Current Aggies are Blane Agnew, Dayton Bush, Jodi Blount, Jackson Cater, Mattison Clay, Joshua Clinton, Angel Eufracio, Samantha Ferrebee, Hannah Garcia, Zack Garcia, Tyler Herndon, Logan Holloway, Brock Hughes, Logan Jefferson, Olivia Johnson, Elizabeth Landin, Ashlynn Lindgren, Emma Locke, Sam McSwain, Morgan Morris, Rebekah Potter, Sadie Ramsey, Maddie Russell, Ryan Russell, Matt Silvey, and Connor Timmons.
Anyone with an Aggie in school now or one planning to attend TAMU-CS in the fall is welcome to join Shelby County Aggie Moms. Meetings are the last Monday of the month at 6:00pm in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church, Center.
Gig'Em Aggies!
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