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Around Town

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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!

February 28, 2025 - The Sam Samford Masonic Lodge #149 facilitated the delivery of water to the Center Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) which was sponsored by Covington Lumber Company. Owners, Johny and Tammie Covington, oversaw the loading of a pallet of water onto a trailer pulled by Troy Keele, a mason with the lodge.

The Covingtons understand the importance of drinking water for firemen as their son is a volunteer fireman. When firemen are fighting fires in full bunker gear, even in moderate temperatures, internal temperatures can quickly rise increasing the potential for heat stress which can impact their decision-making and physical performance. If firemen aren’t able to cool down quickly, severe heat-related illnesses can occur.

Receiving the water delivery on behalf of the Center Volunteer Fire Department was CFD Chief Keith Byndom. Chief Byndom expressed his appreciation to the Masons and the water sponsor, Covington’s Lumber Company, because their support of the firemen is critical to helping them do their job.


Pictured are (from left) Alyssa Mauz, Tara Nachman, Jerry Russell, Jerryl Adams, Brad Green, Yancy Hudspeth, Larry Berg, Brad Nachman and Mitchell Nachman.

'February 26, 2025 - West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) was recently awarded funding from the 50 Women Impact group on February 11, 2025, in the amount of $11,000.

The WSCVFD is very appreciative of this grant funding, which will go toward building repair for the fire station.

WSCVFD sought the funds to help replace the roof on the fire station building. The current roof is original from the 1979 construction of the building and time has taken a toll. If any funds remain after replacing the roof, the funds will be used to replace fire-fighting gear for members both new and old.

February 24, 2025 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Shelby County Class of 2024-2025 attended Health Care Day last week.

The Leadership Group visited the Emergency Room, Pine Grove Nursing Center, Allegiance Mobile Care, The Dialysis Clinic, Lakeside Assisted Living Facility, A Piney Woods HHC, Center Health and Harmony and Golden Eye Clinic. During lunch there were presentations from HOPE Community Medicine and Cornerstone Physical Therapy and Balance.

The class will attend Agriculture Day on March 19th.

Thank you to the following for helping make the day a learning success: Tammy Hanson, Justin Eastepp and Pine Grove Nursing Center staff, Johnnie Perry and Allegiance Mobile Care staff, Dialysis Clinic staff, Lakeside Living Facility, Susan Hairgrove, Dr. Heather and Clay Ihlo, Brandi Emanis, Machelle Crooks and Dr. Rachel Knight. A special thank you to Cheryl Ard with Center ISD transportation department and Shelby Savings Bank.

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.

February 20, 2025 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met February 6 at the Center First Methodist Church in the fellowship hall. During the business meeting, club President Alease Copelin invited everyone to attend an exhibit open house titled 'Clubs and Organizations' at the Shelby County Museum on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 1 to 4pm. The museum is open weekdays from 1 to 4pm. The Center Woman’s Reading Club has a display at the exhibit that shows the long history of the club that was founded in 1896. The club members greatly appreciate Mrs.Copelin for the research she did and the display she created that reflects the club’s significance and impact of the club.

Deborah Chadwick encouraged everyone to attend Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library February 21-22 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The library has recently undergone an extensive renovation with new bookshelves, new seating areas, and other upgrades that will make the library appealing to patrons of all ages. The ribbon cutting will be Friday, February 21 at 10am. There will be authors present on both days. Saturday will be focused on children for Take Your Child to the Library Day with children’s authors present and special activities designed for children. The Center Woman’s Reading Club has long been a patron of the library.

Following the business meeting, member Mary Lynn Tinkle presented a book report on 'A Christmas Memory' written by Truman Capote. Compote wrote in several genres including short stories, novels including 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s,' broadway play, autobiographies, play adaptations, and was given credit for developing a new genre called a narrative non fiction when he wrote his best seller 'In Cold Blood.' Capote was a childhood friend with 'To Kill A Mockingbird' author Harper Lee. As adults they worked on several writing projects together. Mrs. Tinkle reported on a story he wrote titled 'A Christmas Memory' that was based on his childhood when his parents sent him to live with relatives in Alabama. It tells the story of a young boy ,Buddy, who befriends his 60 year old cousin he calls my friend. Together they raise money during the year to buy ingredients to bake fruitcakes for people who they had befriended and those like President Roosevelt whom they admired. Although they did not have much money, the friendship between the two brought them the most happiness.

Submitted by Mary Lynn Tinkle

February 20, 2025 - The Fannie Brown Booth Library would like to invite you to “Take Your Kid to the Library” on Saturday, February 22 from 10am until 2pm for a fun day learning about the library. We will have a Storytime, a photo booth, puzzles and Legos tables, craft tables for preschoolers and older kids, and other activities.

Bandit the Raccoon will also be in attendance. We will offer free library cards as well (parents bring a current photo ID).

There will also be book authors at the library on Saturday from 10am until 12 noon.

Come introduce your children to the wonders of reading and have an adventure day at the library.

The Fannie Brown Booth Library is located at 619 Tenaha Street, Center, Texas 75935.

February 19, 2025 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club honored club member Mrs. Eleanor Ginn at its November 7 meeting. She joined the club in 1979 and served as club president 1989-1991. During her years as an active member, she also served in many other officer and committee positions. Club members truly appreciate Mrs. Ginn for her loyalty, graciousness and words of wisdom over the years.

Club President Alease Copelin presented Mrs. Ginn with a certificate noting her 46 years of outstanding service to the club both as an active and associate member. Mrs. Copelin revealed to Mrs. Ginn that the reading club donated books in her honor to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library. Mrs. Ginn thanked the club members and said she felt so honored to be recognized in this way and expressed her appreciation for what they have meant to her over the years.

February 17, 2025 – Sarah Scull of Center, who is attending the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University, earned the honor of being named on the Dean's List.

More than 5,500 Baylor University students have been named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s Academic Honor List, which recognizes Baylor undergraduates for their outstanding academic work during each semester.

Students honored on the Dean’s List earned a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.70 with no grade lower than a "C" while enrolled in at least 12 graded semester hours.

As a preeminent Christian Research 1 university, Baylor’s mission is to educate students for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. Students are drawn to the University from all 50 states and more than 100 countries for the Baylor experience that combines Christian mission and academic excellence with a midsize university that maximizes opportunities and competes in Power 4 athletics.

Baylor provides numerous academic and research opportunities across various disciplines through 133 baccalaureate programs in fields as varied as business, engineering, pre-medicine, computer science, religion, nursing and music, along with 82 master's programs, 52 doctoral programs (including the Juris Doctor) and the Education Specialist program.

One of one of only two private Research 1 universities in the state of Texas, along with Rice, Baylor is among an elite list of 39 private universities designated as R1 by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Through top-tier research, scholarship and external funding support, R1 universities bring their voice to bear in addressing the world’s most significant challenges, with Baylor as a preeminent Christian research university infusing the quest for solutions, at the highest levels, with the University’s distinct voice and mission.

Today, Baylor continues to move forward under the Baylor in Deeds strategic plan, which was launched in Fall 2024 and aims to intentionally create a larger network of relationships across the globe, increasing student and faculty mobility and elevating Baylor’s research aims to global issues of high impact. Baylor in Deeds follows Illuminate, which resulted in transformative results across the campus and a strengthening of the University’s Christian mission. Some of the most notable outcomes include Baylor achieving R1 recognition three years ahead of schedule, significantly increasing the number of endowed faculty chairs, raising more than $1.5 billion via the Give Light campaign and opening signature buildings such as the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center and the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15-to-1, Baylor students interact with outstanding full-time faculty – who deeply value teaching and mentoring – from their first days on campus through graduation while also pursuing research and scholarship at the highest levels. The University’s vibrant campus life also includes nearly 400 clubs and organizations and varsity athletics competing in the Big 12 Conference. For more information about Baylor University, visit www.baylor.edu.

About Baylor University
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu


Pictured are (from left) Derrick Roberts, Ike Reeves, Linda Lundie, Sean Martin, Richard Lundie and Larry Hume.

February 14, 2025 - Members of VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial located at the Historic Shelby County Courthouse on the Center square in honor of the USS Maine and its crew on February 14, 2025.

Richard Lundie, Post Chaplain, gave the opening prayer and Larry Hume, Post Adjutant, shared the history of the USS Maine and the tragedy which was the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

"127 years ago, February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. 266 American crewmen and Marines were killed. Now, Spain was blamed for the explosion and the Spanish-American War began as a result. The war was very short, less than four months later on August 12, 1898 the United States had won a decisive victory. This was the first war that the United States had ever fought beyond its shores. 3,000 American military were lost, but mostly from Yellow and Typhoid fever and fighting in the jungles in the Philippine-American War that followed. Teddy Roosevelt of Roughrider fame told his troops as they mustered out, 'Enjoy the next 15 days, because after that you will be forgotten,' and they were, and because of the United States Government's refusal of proper medical care, the veterans banded together in organizations that would eventually become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Today, we are here to remember the lives lost so long ago in the explosion of the Maine and the Spanish-American War that ensued, and we thank them for their service, just as we thank the veterans of all wars."

Ike Reeves, Post member, placed the Memorial wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.

Hume stated Shelby County, Texas has participated in all wars and six veterans can be connected to the Spanish-American War. According to Hume, Elijah Webb who was born in Center in 1866, was killed in the Philippines. He voluntarily enlisted at the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Webb was first in Cuba and then was sent to Manila, Philippines with Company H of the 44th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.

"While the Spanish-American War ended in August 1898, the first Philippine Republic objected to the terms under which the United States took possession of the Philippines and the fighting continued until July 2, 1902," said Hume. "Now during this fighting in the Philippines, Elijah was killed on June 16, 1900, and his body was returned [to Shelby County] for burial in August 1901."

Hume referenced a Houston Post article from August 8, 1901, "On the large box which held the metallic coffin with his name, the number of his company and the cause of his death, which stated on the box a knife wound to the head. It went on to say that Leige had many friends here and a good crowd witnessed the casket in which rested his remains."

Webb was buried in what was known as the Center cemetery, but is now known as the Methodist cemetery located behind the First United Methodist Church on Porter Street.

Others from Shelby County who served and survived the Spanish-American War included Edwin Booth who is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson; Brunson Cline who is buried in Carroll Cemetery; Charles Hudson who is buried in the Corinth Cemetery; Charlie Matlock who is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery; and James Mosby Jr. who is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Center.

"Today we can honor these local veterans and all those who are forefathers of our great organization by continuing to fight for veterans rights, and benefits, just as they did," said Hume.

In their honor, Taps was then sounded as presented by Derrick Roberts, Post Jr. Vice.

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