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Rated PG. Movie ends 9:20pm
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
July 23, 2020 - Paul Harvey wrote an article and I’ll borrow his title. Are Texans really taller, or is it those boots that just make them seem like they are?
After watching all the mess on the news every day, hour, minute... well, I’m just sick of what I’m seeing. Folk are tearing down history, mobs destroying folks businesses, asking that we fire our police (our heroes), want to replace our republic with socialism which results in communism and on and on. I’m a political junkie, and I’ve stopped watching most of the news.
Well I can’t tell you how encouraged I was with a surprise delivered by our local high school.
Lisa was watching on her phone our “video cameras” alarmed and she saw three people at our front door. They then moved to the side door and she wondered who was this? Then a few minutes later up drives a couple of vehicles to our business and a whole bunch of purple shirts come out. Then she’s asked, we need to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Christian. Well she stuck her head in my office and I was in the middle of a conference call, so she goes back advises I’m busy. So, they respond, “well you’ll do” (or something more proper).
Two young men come forward and say we want to apologize, we went by your home today and tore down your political sign. We’re here to apologize, sorry we did it.
Four of our school coaches and principal brought these students by to apologize and witness such. While it is a federal offense to destroy a political sign, there is no doubt a much more valuable lesson. They then took a new sign and put back the one they destroyed.
Again, after all the turmoil and discouraging images we see all across our country, I am so encouraged and blessed that we live in a little place in the greatest country, in the greatest state, in the greatest county in the whole world! God bless those educators who took the time out of their day from Center High School and not only taught those young men a valuable lesson, but their peers and this old sour politician.
Are Texans really taller? Well these educators, Heath Hagler, Josh Ponder, Hiram Harrison and Alex Munoz from Center High School certainly are...
Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian
July 21, 2020 - A grand opening and new member ribbon cutting was held at Leather and Lace Western Boutique on Tuesday, July 21 and for an additional celebration boutique is offering a 10% discount the remainder of this week.
On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassodors, Ambassador President Stephanie Elswick welcomed Tonya Martin, owner of Leather and Lace Western Boutique to the business community.
Elswick said, "We are so greatful to be here today for a lot of reasons, one is a fantastic business has opened. Congratulations!" She then added the second reason was for an opportunity to be together.
Tonya Martin spoke and with her mother Marsha Jones by her side she gave her mother recognition for her help with the business. Martin added, "It's like a little family boutique and we have crosses, clothes, bedding. We are just real excited about our home town, I was born and raised here."
The boutique has clothing for women and children and has plans to add men's clothing along with leather belts. The women's clothing includes plus sizes as well. The home decor has a wide selection of crosses, metal stars, rustic signs, and much more. Tonya says she can put a bow on the crosses or home decor items for the customer so they are ready as a thoughtful gift.
Leather and Lace Western Boutique is open from 8am until 5pm, Monday through Friday and 8am until 2pm on Saturdays. Martin does offer delivery of merchandise when possible. For more information call 936-427-5117.
July 20, 2020 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held their monthly meeting Saturday, although the attendance was small the energy for photography was there. There was a workshop presented by Billie Jones on Photo Stacking Landscape Photos and the monthly challenge was "Move It" on animals in motion. The top 3 Favorites in the Challenge are:
1st Place: "Whoa" by Bobbie Jean Wood, Center, Tx.
2nd Place: "Happy Puppy" by Anna Jones, Center, TX.
3rd Place: "Red! I see red" by Jan Huffman Carter, Hemphill, Tx..
The PWPS goal is to help you to 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. Visitors are welcome to attend our meeting with or without a member. Memberships currently available. For more information contact Billie F. Jones, text or call 936-591-2426 or billiejones602@gmail.com
July 17, 2020 - In the age of the internet, genealogical research is much easier than it used to be. Birth, death, marriage, military service, and census records frequently can be found online. But not always. Research roadblocks sometimes happen and in Texas, that often requires a visit to the County Clerk's Office. Nacogdoches attorney Judy Wells specializes in establishing the ownership of mineral rights in Texas and is familiar with the process. She shared some useful tips on doing research at a County Clerk's office with the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society at their July meeting last Wednesday.
“Once when I was searching the records in a County Clerk's office I found the volume I was looking for high on the top of a bookshelf. So I climbed up the ladder and pulled the book off the shelf, sending a cloud of dust into my face, which gave me respiratory problems for about two weeks,” Wells related. Genealogical research has physical hazards as well as emotional ones, so be prepared.
In Texas, the County Clerk is the clerk for the county courts, and the Commissioner's Court, as well as the recorder of all real property instruments in the county. They are responsible for county elections, maintaining vital statistics, issuing marriage licenses, and filing assumed name certificates. They can also administer oaths and affirmations, and take affidavits and depositions. Among the other documents County Clerks record are will probate decrees, adoptions, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, abstracts of judgment, patents, and homestead liens, any one of which might be of great value to a genealogical researcher. Finding them might be a different story, Wells shared.
“Why is it so hard to search old county records”? asked Wells. “Because in the old days, the County Clerk was charged with keeping these records but they could use any filing system they chose,” she replied. “Sometimes the clerk kept a separate book for each type of record, so that oil and gas records might be in one book, deeds of trust in another, and foreclosure records in another. The county might have fifteen different books of records. There is also the possibility that someone in the clerk's office became confused and recorded the instrument in the wrong book,” she revealed. “Most County Clerk's Office records are like a maze. Usually there is an index. Start there. Knowing what you are looking for is in Volume 12 is good but there might be several Volume 12s. What are you going to do? You have to ask for help. How do you get someone to help you? Bribe them with treats!” she laughed. “ Cookies and pizza are good choices. So are popcorn and kolaches. I like to take some of my home-made jalapeno salsa and chips” she said. “You have to charm them.”
Sometimes the researcher encounters a roadblock at the courthouse itself. The statement “Oh, that was before the courthouse burned and we lost all the records” can bring tears to a researcher's eyes. “Most of the courthouses in East Texas have burned at least once. Some have burned several times. Shelby County's courthouse burned on June 1, 1882,” Wells shared.
The Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society meets at 2PM on the third Wednesday of each month in the Meeting Room of the Timpson Public Library, located on the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets in Timpson. The public is invited. The TAGHS Genealogy Library is located inside the Timpson Public Library but is currently closed due to Covid-19.
July 16, 2020 – The race is on in the 2020 Census and Shelby County isn't in the top 10 for the East Texas area! Come on Shelby County, let's take the challenge and fill out your 2020 Census! Money for your county, city, school, or organization is at stake.
East Texas Counties ranking for responses received as of July 14, 2020 for the census:
1st - Smith County - 58.2%
2nd - Greg County - 57.6%
3rd - Harrison County - 54.3%
4th - Hardin County - 53.8%
5th - Angelina County - 53.2%
6th - Rusk County - 50.3%
7th - Panola County - 50.1%
8th - Nacogdoches County - 50.0%
9th - Cherokee County - 48.2%
10th - Liberty County - 44.6%
11th - Houston County - 44.1%
12th - Shelby County - 43.5%
13th - San Jacinto County - 41.3%
14th - Jasper County - 40.1%
15th - Polk County - 39.5%
16th - Tyler County - 36.5%
17th - Trinity County - 35.1%
18th - Newton County - 33.9%
19th - San Augustine County - 29%
20th - Sabine County - 28.3%
The city winning with the best return rate in Shelby County is Center with 48.9% followed by Tenaha with a 36% return rate. Timpson has 32.1%, Huxley has 30.8%, and Joaquin has 28.3% who have responded to the Census.
Click image to enlarge
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.
For example, the census results affect planning and funding for healthcare, including programs such as Medicaid, Medicare Part B, State Children’s Health Insurance, and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. Also, census results affect planning and funding for education, including programs such as Head Start, Pell Grants, school lunches, rural education, adult education, and grants for preschool special education.
Want to know what other programs are impacted by census data? Download this report to see a full list.
Participating in the census is required by law, and it’s really easy and quick. Visit the U.S. Census Bureau at https://2020census.gov/en.html to complete your information online; the process only takes a few minutes, it's safe and your information is kept confidential.
You have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone. To begin, call 844-330-2020, or call the number associated with your preferred language here from their language support list at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html.
Additional information about the Census can be found by visiting the 2020 Census website at https://2020census.gov/.
July 9, 2020 - Jason Mitchell has been working hard to maintain some sort of Baseball Tournament season for the Center Youth Baseball and our City with this unprecedented Spring and Summer.
There will not be any District Tournaments in the State. Any team wanting to play Post Season in the State Tournament will be allowed to play. Below is a list of the Tournaments being played in Center, and the dates. There is a possibility of the tournaments starting a day earlier (on Friday rather than Saturday) with schools starting back so soon.
Let's make sure our visiting guests receive a huge Center, Texas welcome! Good luck to all the teams and players.
Dates for the Tournaments July 11-16 (12 Teams)
Dixie Boys 13-14 State Tournament
August 1-3 (37 Teams)
- Dixie Youth Super Series South Regional AAA Division I and Division II 9-10 year olds (22 Teams)
- Dixie Youth Super Series South Regional Ozone Division I and Division II 11-12 year olds (15 Teams)
August 7-10 (32 Teams)
Dixie Youth Super Series Championship 7, 9 and 11 year olds
July 6, 2020 - As much as we had hoped July would be a safe time to have our Annual Grill Fest event, in light of the current situation and the Governor’s Executive Order, we feel it is best to cancel the event this year.
It is a top priority of the Chamber of Commerce as it is our event sponsors and members to be prudent and make sure our community stays safe and healthy.
The Chamber of Commerce is also postponing the annual First Responders lunch. We plan to reschedule the event in August or September.
We encourage everyone to be smart, take appropriate precautions, be considerate of others and follow the guidelines and recommendations set by our local and state leaders.
July 4, 2020 - A recent tradition in Shelby County since 2016, and across Texas, has been the reading of the Declaration of Independence by local criminal defense lawyers on or around Independence Day.
With the ongoing threat of COVID-19, other plans were made, and local criminal defense lawyer Deck Jones stated, "Because of the pandemic, this is being handled differently this year," and "This video is of lawyers from around the state reading the Declaration. We will not be reading the declaration locally, but we would appreciate your sharing this video with your readers and listeners."
The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) also issued the following statement:
Each year shortly before July 4, Texas criminal defense lawyers gather on courthouse steps throughout the state to honor the Declaration of Independence. They read the great document to celebrate our American freedoms and the real meaning of Independence Day. It is a tradition unlike any other in the nation.
This year, because of public health concerns, many such readings will be impossible. So, statewide TCDLA Declaration reading organizers Robb Fickman of Houston and Chuck Lanehart of Lubbock produced a short video featuring a reading of the Declaration. The readers are criminal defense lawyers from all corners of the state who normally organize celebrations of the Declaration on their respective courthouse steps.
TCDLA hopes you will enjoy this heartfelt and inspiring video, which acknowledges the shortcomings of the Declaration with a reminder that the 1776 signing in Philadelphia was the beginning of a continuum of American progress toward equal rights for all: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Women's Suffrage Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and now Black Lives Matter.
Special thanks to Chuck Lanehart and Robb Fickman for organizing and creating this amazing video!
The following two links are to the same video created on behalf of the TCDLA:
TCDLA YouTube Channel
Vimeo Link
The video below is the 2019 reading of the Declaration of Independence by Shelby County Criminal Defense Lawyers:
(From left) The oaths were administered by former DETCOG President Bill Holder to Sabine County Judge Daryl Melton - President, Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison - Vice President, Nacogdoches City Councilman Roy Boldon - President-Elect, and San Augustine County Judge Jeff Boyd - Secretary.
July 2, 2020 – Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison has been sworn in as Vice President of Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District (DETCOG). Harbison assumed the post effective July 1.
Other DETCOG officers for the coming year include President Daryl Melton, the Sabine County Judge; President-Elect Roy Boldon of the Nacogdoches City Council; and Secretary Jeff Boyd, San Augustine County Judge. The oaths were administered by former DETCOG President Bill Holder of the Trinity River Authority.
DETCOG is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts, river authorities, special districts, and other sustaining members in a 12-county region of Deep East Texas. The region covers an area of 10,383 square miles and has a population of over 381,000. The organization brings together resources of federal, state and local governments to help improve the quality of life for the citizens of Deep East Texas.
July 2, 2020 - The Center Police Department and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center want to thank everyone that came and donated blood during our Emergency Blood Drive. We had a great and wonderful turn out of 33 people. That is a big number to reach during drives, and will be a huge impact to those in need. Thank you to everyone that took the time to come out and show your support and help save lives.
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