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Around Town
April 13, 2021 - Center City Council held a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the multi-million dollar streetscape renewal project on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Downtown Center square.
Mayor David Chadwick spoke to the merchant especially but to everyone else as well, "Thank ya'll for being here. We have waited for what, 133 years! It's hard to believe that it has been over 10 years since we started planning and now its finally here. We have gone through pandemics, we've gone through floods, ice, everything and we've discovered an entirely new history of Shelby County than we ever new existed under these grounds. We really want to say our first thank yous to the patience that you have given us in doing this; it has pushed every button I know you have. We really are proud of what we have here and hope that we all prosper from it."
After the quick speech, the Mayor took the official ribbon cutting scissors provided by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and cut the ribbon. The best part of the ceremony was once the ribbon was cut, the barriers blocking the roadways were removed and traffic quickly began flowing.
The Mayor did ask that downtown travelers please be alert that traffic has returned to its original pattern running courterclockwise around the square which includes the inside parking area as well. The inside lane is a turn only lane and all intersections are four way stops.
Those present at the ribbon cutting included City of Center Council members Leigh Porterfield, Randy Collard, Howell Howard, and Terry Scull; City Employees; Center Police Department; Payne & Payne Home and Such Like; Mooney's Emporium; TMCE, Inc.; Lil's Deals; Morrison Insurance; Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Shelby County Chamber of Commerce; Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center; Affinity Hospice; Saf-T-First Drug Testing; Shelby County Treasurer Ann Blackwell; SC Auditor Clint Porterfield; State Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, and members of the community.
Editor's note: The 133 years was calculated from the 1886 date to the beginning of construction in 2019.
April 13, 2021 - There will be a Piney Woods Photographic Society (PWPS) monthly meeting this Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, 211 Porter St., Center, TX, starting at 9am until 12 noon. There will be a workshop of "Better Flower Photography" and the April Challenge will be member's photographs submitted for voting on "Flight." These photographs will highlight birds or other things in flight.
To learn more about club memberships or photos, visit our FB page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PineyWoodsPhoto.
Visitors are always welcomed to drop in and visit at our next regularly scheduled meeting, which is always the third Saturday of the month. For information, contact Billie F. Jones, billiejones602@gmail.com.
April 13, 2021 - Tri-County Harvest for Homes Produce Drop is tomorrow, April 14 starting at 9:30am in the Ivan Smith parking lot near old sombreros restaurant. Be sure to be there before 9:30am. The Produce Drop goes quickly.
April 13, 2021 - Most often an offender is someone the child knows. Learning the signs of child abuse is one of the best ways you can keep kids safe https://bit.ly/3cYLYKG. #ChildAbuseAwareness #ChildAbusePrevention #EndChildSexualAbuse #KnowTheFacts
April 9, 2021 - COVID-19 vaccines are available! Schedule your appointment today for a first dose of Pfizer at a mass vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 10, 2021 starting at 9am at the Windham Civic Center in Center. Registration is open on www.auroraconcepts.net. Click 'Covid Vaccinations' under the MORE tab on the menu bar or click here. In the orange section, click on 'Book Your Appointment.'
The Pfizer Vaccine is administered in two doses three weeks apart.
April 9, 2021 - The Center Woman's Reading Club met March 18 at the Center First United Methodist Church fellowship hall. President Dottie West called the meeting to order and announced that the next meeting will be April15 in the FUMC fellowship hall with Bonnie Lucas serving as program leader and hostess.
She also reminded members that the April 15 meeting will be in a different program model with all members reading the same book "Where the Crawdads Sing," and will have a group discussion about the book. Ten members were present, and they welcomed two guests to the meeting: J.J. Ford and Cancee Lester.
The club will donate books in the memory of beloved and longtime member Polly Smith. She was a dedicated and valued member of the reading club. With her vast knowledge of literature, her love of reading, her delicious refreshments and her willingness to serve in many capacities for the club, she will be greatly missed and remembered by the club members who valued their friendship with this truly amazing and gracious lady.
The club is meeting at noon this year to give women who work outside the home the opportunity to be a part of this club. The Center Woman's Reading Club was founded in 1896 making it the oldest club organization in Center. Club members are practicing COVID-19 safety measures by encouraging mask wearing and social distancing.
Following the buisness meeting, Deborah Chadwick gave a fascinating report on the book "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr. It is a crime psychological thriller novel set in New York in 1896 that centered around ritualistic killings.
Following the book report, Mrs. Chadwick served delicious refreshments in honor of St. Patrick's Day with cupcakes decorated with rainbows and pots of gold and four-leaf clover decorated cookies. A time of fellowship following the meeting was enjoyed by all.
By Mary Lynn Tinkle
A view of San Augustine Street from the Austin Street intersection. The barricade is still in place.
April 8, 2021 - Striping is happening on the newly renovated downtown Center square! Will this evening or tomorrow be when the barricades are finally removed?
A view of Austin Street from the San Augustine Street intersection.
Update: Several Shelby County Today viewers have asked if the square will once again be two lanes and the answer is yes. The inside lane will be a turn only lane. The striping on the roadway will be coming soon which will help with the confusion.
April 6, 2021 - Will Tuesday, April 6th be the day? The day all four corners of the square are open once again?
Since October 8, 2019, downtown Center travelers have had to navigate detours around the square to get to one side or the other. The long haul of contruction, 546 days, made it a thrilling sight Monday evening, April 5th to see the black asphalt being paved on the final section of the construction to connect the corner of Shelbyville Street and San Augustine Street with the rest of the square.
If the barriers are not removed Tuesday because the newly paved asphalt has to be allowed to harden and cure, seeing it gives hope the construction journey is truly almost over.
Use caution when traveling downtown because even if all four corners of the square reopen today, contractors may still be working downtown putting in the final touches. Also, remember the square is one way directional travel once it reopens all the way around. Signs are up indicating the two-way traffic once allowed during construction will be no more. The inside lane is a left turn only lane.
Related article: Portions of Center Square Closed for Streetscape Project (Update)
April 8, 2021 - The Shelby County Appraisal District’s phones and computers are down at this time. We will advise when we are up and running.
April 8, 2021 - Join us tomorrow (April 9) for #GoBlueDay! Be sure to wear your best shade of blue to show support for #ChildAbuseAwareness and the work we do here at Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center!#ChildAbusePrevention #EndChildSexualAbuse
Click image to enlarge
April 7, 2021 - On Monday, April 5, 2021 Shelby County 4-H and Shelby County Farm Bureau teamed up to say thank you to our first responders for all their hard work and sacrifices with a First Responders Appreciation Dinner.
Men and women from local police, sheriff, and fire departments along with paramedics, state troopers, game wardens and electrical linemen were treated to a hamburger and hotdog dinner complete with chips and cookies.
Farm Bureau (from left) David Hailey, Paul Pustka, Ryan Pinkston, Robert Griffin, Terrie Allen, Mac Warren, Allen Ray, Buren Lowe, Commissioner Tom Bellmyer, and AgriLife Agent Lane Dunn.
Farm Bureau did a wonderful job preparing the meal, and members of 4-H had a great time bagging and serving the meals to all those who attended.
We would like to say a big thank you again to all of those who work so hard and put themselves at risk every day to keep us safe and healthy.
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