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Around Town
Pictured are (from left): Frank Miller, Larry Hume, Gene Hutto, Ike Reeves, Richard Lundie, Sean Martin and Derrick Roberts.
April 7, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary held a remembrance program Monday, March 22, 2025, to honor those who served in Kosovo and who were a part of Operation Allied Force.
The program was led by Ike Reeves, Judge Advocate, and Richard Lundie, Chaplain, offered the opening prayer.
“25 years ago today, on March 24th, 1999, NATO launched an air campaign called Operation Allied Force, the halt the humanitarian devastation that was then unfolding in Kosovo,” said Reevss. “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 was concluded, a Military Technical Agreement with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was signed between the International Security Force and the Governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia.
NATO casualties were light and allies suffered no fatalities as a result of combat operation.
“Two American Army helicopter pilots, Chief Warrant Officer David Gibbs and Kevin Riker died when their AH-64 helicopter crashed in the early hours of May 5, 1999. The crash was not due to enemy fire, but two of America’s finest died in the early hours of May 5, 1999. died that day serving their country,” said Reevse.
In honor of those who served, and those who lost their lives, Post member Frank Miller placed a memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past-Post-Commander.
March 27, 2025 - K & L Contractors were honored and proud to serve the hard working crews of Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative an appreciation Jambalaya luncheon on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Also served at the luncheon were several other dignitaries of the county.
K & L Contractors appreciate all that they do!
Submitted photo.
March 25, 2025 - Dallas Martinez, a Shelby County 4-H member from Center, captured Grand Champion in the Junior Market Barrow Show at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo on March 20, 2025.
Martinez is a 6th grade student in Center and is the son of Berto Martinez and Brandi Smith. He turns 13 years old tomorrow, March 26.
Submitted photo showing Dallas Martinez's face when he is announced to be the winner.
Each year, the Houston Livestock Show draws thousands of Texas 4-H and FFA exhibitors to compete at the world's largest livestock show. Each exhibitor is hoping to take home the coveted title of Houston champion and works several months to prepare for competition among the finest junior livestock the state of Texas has to offer. The Show is not only the largest livestock show, but also sets world records at the junior market show auctions. Established as the Houston Fat Stock Show in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ has grown to more than 30,000 entries and is organized by three categories of competitions: Junior Show, Open Show and Youth Show.
Below are photos posted on RodeoHouston Facebook page of Dallas Martinez:
March 25, 2025 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Shelby County Class of 2024-2025 attended Agriculture Day last week.
The Leadership Group visited the Tyson Feed Mill Plant, BRK Meat Processing facility, Livestock Nutrition Center and Viatrac Fertilizer. They also heard interesting presentations from the following: Sammy Dance and Spencer McFarland with Sammy Dance Land and Timber; Bob Reeves with Apex Mortality Solutions; Phelue Anderson and Sydney Rosario with Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Poultry Lab.
The class will attend Education Day on April 16th.
Thank you to the following for helping make the day a learning success: Brandon and Tanner and staff at the Tyson Feed Mill; Sammy Dance, Spencer McFarland, Bob Reeves, Phelue Anderson, Sydney Rosario, Bobby Vice, Tom Usery and staff at the Livestock Nutrition Center and Randy Weaver. Also, a special thank you to Center ISD transportation department.
Leadership Shelby County is a year long program presented by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce designed to identify potential leaders and develop within these individuals the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to enable them to actively participate in the enhancement of the quality of life in their communities.
March 24, 2025 - Center High School Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Students recently partnered with Nathali Abella Hernandez to make a donation to The Street Youth Ministry Project. Clothing, shoes, and hygiene items were collected and donated.
Nathali is a recent CHS graduate who came back to East Texas to ask for support in reaching the vulnerable youth in Austin, Texas. Our JCC Students were more than excited to share in this experience of helping others.
March 18, 2025 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held their regular monthly meeting the past Saturday at the First Methodist Church in Center, Texas. The workshop presentation was on how to photograph flowers extraordinaire. If you are interested in flower photography or any type of photography, come join this meeting on the 3rd Saturday in April (19) at the First Methodist Church, 211 Cora Street, Center, Tx. from 9am to 12 noon. If you have questions or concerns about your camera, there is a wide variety of skill levels in our club, from amateur to professional, from DSLR to cell phones.
The March Challenge for members was "Show Me Your Green" . Members submitted up to 3 of their photos, with the color green being the dominate factor, for discussion and voting for club favorites. To view all the challenge entries view our Flickr page, https://www.flickr.com/groups/pineywoodsphotographic/ or follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PineyWoodsPhoto
The March favorites are:
1st Pl. Favorite: "Hang In There" by Bobbie Jean Wood"
2nd Pl. Favorite: "Camera Bracelet by Lea Ann Robertson
3rd Pl. Favorite: "Green Pencils" by Debra Cockrell
March 17, 2025 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met March 9 at the First Methodist Church fellowship hall. During the business meeting, President Alease Copelin announced that the theme for books selected for next year’s reports will be Banned Books. She said this theme will provide an interesting look not only at the books but also for the reasons they were banned. Many books that have been banned in the past include well known and very popular books such as Fahrenheit 451, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Gone With The Wind.
Following a long tradition of the club, a bridal shower was given during the meeting for member Hope Jordan to celebrate her upcoming nuptials. She was delighted with the gifts she received and expressed her appreciation to club members for the gifts and the friendships.
Following the business meeting, hostess Bonnie Lucus (right photo) provided a delicious luncheon enjoyed by all. Also serving as program leader, Mrs. Lucus gave a fascinating report on the novel The Whale Bone Theater written by Joanna Quinn. Ms. Quinn grew up in Dorset, England where this novel is set. She also is an author of short stories and teaches creative writing.
The Whalebone Theater is a work of historical fiction and is based on true episodes in England’s history. The story is about three children who grow up there and create adventures for themselves. The protagonist of the novel is Cristabel who along with the help of her siblings and others in her home build the Whalebone Theater using the bones of a whales who was washed ashore. It provided a place for their imaginations to grow.The novel continues through World War II. Cristabel now a headstrong young woman becomes a British secret agent serving in the war. The novel provides great insight into family life and the impact war had not only on the nation of England but also on the families who lived through it.
March 10, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 Post members and Auxiliary gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on February 28, 2025, to honor those who served in Operation Desert Storm 34 years ago.
The program was opened by Richard Lundie, Post Chaplain, and he gave the opening prayer.
Lundie shared the history, “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 an Allied Coalition, in air and ground, President [George H.W.] Bush declared a cease-fire on February 28, 1991, [34] years ago. 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, but many did serve.”
Lundie then recognized the two veterans in attendance who fought in Operation Desert Storm - Sean Martin and himself. He also spoke the names of two Desert Storm Veterans who he personally knew, Bruce Watson and Rick Isom.
Comrade Ray Miller 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 for those who survived and who have since passed, and to those who are still living. If it were not for you gathering here today, it would have gone unnoticed in Shelby County. The service and sacrifices of those veterans would not have been remembered. We cannot let any group of veterans be forgotten, this is our charge, and again thank you,” said Lundie.
In a final tribute, Taps was sounded by Post Member Sean Martin.
March 6, 2025 - Center Garden Club members Cherry Jones, Janette Wittman, Carole Chance and Carolyn Bounds enjoyed a second evening meeting with Shelby County 4-H members who under the leadership of Carolyn Bounds created classic, round cut-flower designs. With spring blossoms abounding soon, the 4-H youngsters pictured above with their first designs will be able to create even more lovely designs in the future.
Submitted by Carolyn Bounds
February 28, 2025 - February is Dental Awareness Month. Today, members from the Joaquin Masonic Lodge in partnership with Fantastic Teeth Club brought dental kits to all of our Joaquin first grade students.
Students enjoyed a presentation about learning the importance of caring for our teeth and how to do that. They then each received a kit!
Joaquin Elementary says a BIG ‘Thank You’ to the local Masonic Lodge!
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