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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
December 8, 2020 - Since 1946 the Veterans of Foreign Wars has conducted the essay program for high school students called Voice of Democracy. This program has provided millions and millions of dollars in scholarship money to the youth of our nation during the past 74 years.
Each student entering records a 3 to 5 minute audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme was “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?”
Post Commander Gene Hutto (left) and Quartermaster Larry Hume (right) made the presentation to Cullen Freeman, a Junior at Joaquin HS.
This year due to the number of entries received, VFW Post 8904 and the Auxiliary selected co-winners and were able to send two entries to the District 19 competition. The winner of district will then compete at the state level and the state winner will compete for a $30.000 scholarship at National VFW. The results of the district competition should be known by December 15, 2020.
This year’s two winners are: Cullen L. Freeman, 11th Grade Student at Joaquin High School and son of Amanda and Jason Freeman, and Andrew Tyner, 12th Grade Student at Tenaha High School and son of Ali and Scott Tyner. Each received a framed certificate and a check for $100.00 from VFW Post 8904.
Post Commander Gene Hutto (right) and Quartermaster Larry Hume (left) made the presentation to Andrew Tyner, a Tenaha Senior.
December 8, 2020 - The deadline for turning in forms is over! However, we are still needing Toys! 300 kids to fill for this year! Toys or Monetary donations can be turned into the Center Police Dept! Please help us, to make sure these kids have a Blessed Christmas!
If you were collecting toys on behalf of Blue Santa, please try to get them turned in, or contact us, and someone can come pick them up.
December 7, 2020 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee announces the winners of the 21st Annual Santa’s Christmas Parade, sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank, which was held on Saturday, December 5th. The theme for the parade was “A Rustic Christmas”.
Winners by Category are:
Individual Category:
$100 -- 1st Place – Erica Santana
$50 – 2nd Place – Samuel and Sara Parmer
School Category:
$100 -- 1st Place – CHS Chaparrals
$50 -- 2nd Place – CMS Basketball and Cheerleaders
$25 - 3rd Place – CHS Marching Band
Church Category:
$100 -- 1st Place – St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church
$50 -- 2nd Place – First United Methodist Church
Civic Organization Category:
$100 -- 1st Place – East Texas Disciples/Christian Motorcyclists Association
Business Category:
$100 -- 1st Place – W3C Enterprise
$50 -- 2nd Place – Sigler’s Little Homestead & U Pick’em Flower Farm
$25 -- 3rd Place – Hopkins Wrecker Service
$250 -- Overall Best in Show – W3C Enterprise
Other supporters that helped make the Parade possible include City of Center, Farmers State Bank and Specter, Inc. Thank you to the Center Police Department for assisting with traffic and to the Center Fire Department for the use of their trucks.
For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or info@shelbycountychamber.com
Allison Harbison and her helpers meet up with Santa just before the start of the parade.
December 6, 2020 (Photos of parade: Album 1, Album 2) - Santa's Christmas Parade traveled downtown on Saturday night, December 5, 2020 with Allison Harbison leading the parade as Grand Marshal. The parade entertained the crowds and showered the onlookers with candy and joy.
Some of the local businesses and groups who had floats in the parade were the Center Police Department, Center Fire Department, Center High School Marching Band, Venetin's Studio and ACE, East Texas Disciples Christian Motorcyclists Association, W3C Enterprises, Shelby Savings Bank, Sigler's Homestead and Flower Farm, First United Methodist Church, CHS Chaparrals, Hopkins Wrecker Service, St. Therese Catholic Church, Center Middle School, and the Center City Council.
As is tradition, the best was last with Santa Claus being the last float of the parade! Merry Christmas Shelby County!
December 5, 2020 - SAKS Of Love blessed their Shelby County community with a Christmas Toy Giveaway on December 5, 2020. They served over 30 families and 75+ children. They would like to thank Union Acres for allowing them come.
The recipient of their $100 bundle was Laquitta Ware.
Their next Toy Giveaway will be in Lufkin, Texas on December 12, 2020. SAKS Of Love is a charitable organization founded by Christina Leary.
SAKS Of Love is funded by their community and welcomes sponsors and donors. For more information about SAKS Of Love visit their FB page.
December 5, 2020 (Festival Photo Album) - A large crowd gathered for the Joaquin Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 5th to enjoy the parade, photos with Santa, car show, motorcycle show, tractor show, lots of vendors, live auctions, treasure hunt, and much much more.
The Car and Motorcycle Show results were:
Christmas RamvilleMotorcycle Show Winners
Most Patriotic - Floyd Blackmon
Daily Rider (Bike that is rode the most) - Jeff Rodgers
Best in Show - Rocky Curry
Christmas Ramville Tractor Show Winners
1st place - Mike Williams (2016 Craftsman Lawn Tractor)
2nd place - Logan Rich (1957 Ford 631)
Christmas Ramville Car Show Winners
Most Original - Billy Sandifer
Mr. Grinch - Bubba Lewis (1952 International L-130 1 ton)
People's Choice - Stoney Rice
4x4 Division
1st place - David Meshell (1951 Chevy Pickup)
2nd place - Jonas Burnett (2006 Jeep LJ)
Rat Rod Division
1st place - Jimmy Pomplan (1964 Chevrolet C-10)
1972 and Earlier Car
1st place - Randy Pearson (1955 Chevy Nomad)
2nd place - Glenn Williams (1968 Chevy Corvette)
1972 and Earlier Truck
1st place - Ray Davis (1962 VW Truck)
2nd place - Bubba Lewis (1952 International L-130 1 ton)
1973 and Up Car
1st place - Mac Wheeler (2017 Chevy Camero)
2nd place - Jamie Robinson (2020 Subaru WRX)
1973 and Up Truck
1st place - Mike Williams (1983 Ford F-100)
2nd place - Jeff Bachman (2007 Chevy Trailblazer 55)
December 4, 2020 - Christmas is coming early this year! Nita and Mike Adkinson will open the Rio’s concession stand for popcorn, drinks and snacks tomorrow before the Parade starts. The Concession Stand will be open from 4:30 until the Parade is over. Masks will be required while in the building.
Saturday will be a great day to get into the Christmas spirit. Shop our local stores, eat at our local restaurants, buy popcorn, drinks and snacks at The Rio and enjoy the Christmas Parade.
The Christmas Parade, Sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank, will start at 6:00pm on the downtown square.
For more information contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 598-3682.
December 1, 2020 - The Texas Forest Country Partnership (TFCP) 2020 Do-Gooder of the Year award for Shelby County was given to the 50 Women Impact during the Economic Development Summit held on November 18, 2020 virtually.
TFCP has presented the award since 2015 to a viable on-going business or individual which is supportive of community growth sustainability. To receive the "Do-Gooder" of the Year Award for 2020 an additional requirement was added; the business or individual must have given back to the community during the COVID-19 Crisis.
The speaker during the virtual presentation at 16:45 minutes said, "On behalf of the Texas Forest Country Partnership I would like to congratulate 50 Women Impact on your 2020 Do-Gooder of the Year award for Shelby County. 50 Women Impact was established in November of 2017 with a small group of women in the community. The goal was to create of group of 50 women willing to give $100 per quarter to be awarded to a deserving organization in the county. 50 members soon became more than 100 women dedicated to the cause. Since formation this organization has given back more than $120,000 to include $31,500 to the COVID-19 crisis. Some recipients include Texas A&M AgriLife 4H, ministries, foundations, youth organizations, and much much more. Thank you for your mission to fulfill your goal and what the power of giving as one can do."
Congratulations 50 Women Impact on receiving this honor! To view the virtual presentation, click here.
December 2, 2020 - The 50 Women Impact group made their final donation of 2020 to CASA of Deep East Texas. It was announced on November 20th after the votes had been cast and the total contributed to CASA rose to $10,400.
As COVID-19 has shut many fundraisers down, the 50 Women Impact has moved forward with its members communicating electronically. In the application submitted for CASA requesting the 4th quarter grant, Kim Griffin shared a letter about CASA of Deep East Texas. The Shelby County area has 23 families in crisis and 43 children in foster care. She and 15 other CASA volunteers in Shelby county serve those 43 children.
Kim's letter explained, "When I tell people that I work for CASA and they ask me what I do as a CASA, I normally tell people that the court appointed special advocate (CASA) serves as the voice for the children who’ve been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. I explain that the CASA serves as the eyes and ears of the court providing information and recommendations regarding what’s best for the child. I explain that the CASA is there to listen, to listen closely and to hear what may not be said. To hear what might be lost in the chaos of shattered lives. Most importantly to let these children know that they are heard."
Back in May when the COVID-19 pandemic still had so much shut down, the 50 Women Impact chose to take a one time action to divide the May 2020 funds given by its members equally between Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Timpson Food For Thought, and Community Christian Services in Joaquin. All these organizations provide food pantries for Shelby County communities. These food pantries have been and still are a great need. The total given was $12,000 which provided each food pantry with $4,000.
In August, the group once again voted electronically and chose to give the 3rd quarter grant to Shelby County Youth Soccer to help finish the new soccer complex. The total given was $10,500. Opening ceremonies at the new soccer complex was held on October 17.
During COVID-19 haunting of 2020, the 50 Women Impact has donated a total of $43,200! Since the group began in 2017, the group has donated a total of $131,800.
November 30, 2020 - The Center Police Department is hosting a fundraiser for Officer Mandy Fears on December 9, 2020.
Her 22-year-old son was in a major accident approximately a month ago. He was flown to Beaumont and was in a coma for over a week. He has had several surgeries to repair several broken bones including his neck. He is now conscious and in his own room on the way to a long recovery.
Fortunately, the family has been able to keep afloat financially, but has taken a huge set-back due to expenses such as hotel, motel, fuel, etc.
These plates will be sold for $7.00 each at the Center Police Department on the above date. We are presently taking pre-sales on these projected plates. Any and all assistance or donations would be GREATLY appreciated.
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