Around Town
October 5, 2019 - The 2019 Chicken Clucking Contest brought new entertainment to the stage with some of the contestants turning their clucking opportunity into singing and theatrical performances.
Zac Payne, who competed in 6-11 age division, brought a light saber to the stage and clucked his rendition of the Star Wars theme. Contest Olivia Hatfield clucked to the tune of 'I believe I can fly." Another contestant in the 17 and up division, Mahesh Galal, gave a theatrical performance of a glimpse into a bullied chickens life.
The winners of the unique clucking contest were:
Peeps Ages 5 and Under
1st Place - Paisley
2nd Place - Rhyland Folsom
3rd Place (Tie) - Vance Payne and Ellisyn Gandy
Chicks Ages 6-11
1st Place - Zac Payne
2nd Place - Olivia Lowe
3rd Place - Shamiece
Pullets Ages 12-16
1st Place - Calyn Grammer
2nd Place - TJ Bolton
3rd Place - Marissa Crawford
Roosters and Hens 17 and Up
1st Place - Clayton Paul Windham
2nd Place - Katelyn Jackson
3rd Place (Tie) - B Addison And Olivia Hatfield
October 5, 2019 - Well, another year is done. This made 10 years I’ve been Photography coordinator at the ETPF at Vision Source office. I want to thank Dr Randy Collard for allowing me to overtake his office with all those photographs, 195 entries this year! A very special thanks to the members of the Piney Woods Photographic Society for helping me to set up, take down and host the exhibit by greeting everyone who came through the exhibit and answered any questions anyone had the past 4 days. I hope anyone that came through the exhibit enjoyed it. Now a day of rest and on to more photography!
Billie Jones

October 3, 2019 - (Album) - The 43rd Annual East Texas Poultry Festival (ETPF) is clucking and crowing with the event now in full swing! Ceremonies were held Thursday, October 3, 2019, under the Frances Oates tent on the Center square.
Josh Payne, 43nd East Texas Poultry Festival Chairman, introduced each of the speakers for the opening of the event and Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, returned as the opening speaker followed by David Chadwick, City of Center Mayor/Farmers State Bank President. This year Brian Dean, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman, welcomed all to the East Texas Poultry Festival and he extended thanks to all the volunteers involved in the event.
“Josh Payne and the steering committee, the work area chairmen, on behalf of the chamber board members we thank you for your leadership and dedication,” said Dean. “Also would like to thank the ambassadors, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the young Ambassador students for their hours of volunteer work. Now let’s all enjoy a fun and safe 2019 Poultry Festival.”

Andy Wilson, Pastor of Center First United Pentecostal Church, gave the invocation.
Center High School band performed the National Anthem, followed by Timpson Kindergarten students leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
After each of the ETPF Queen’s court introduced themselves, Kristen Orsak performed the ceremonial cutting of the feathers and the 43nd ETPF was declared open.
October 2, 2019 - Two members of the Piney Woods Photographic Society won ribbons at the East Texas State Fair in Tyler.
Congratulations to Mrs. Donna Holt who won a blue ribbon at the East Texas State Fair in Tyler, Texas in the category of Heritage and History with her photograph 'Precious Memories' of family member's antique rocking chair.

Donna Holt with her photo Precious Memories
Congratulations also go out to Bobbie Jean Wood who won two blue ribbons at the East Texas State Fair in Tyler, Texas for the Fine Art category with her photograph 'A Mother's Peace' and in the Human Interest category with her photography 'Boys Best Friend.'

Bobbie Jean Wood with her photos (L to R) Boy's Best Friend & A Mother's Peace
October 2, 2019 - The first recognized battle of the Texas Revolution was fought at Gonzales on October 2, 1835. The Texas force of one hundred and sixty men challenged the Mexican military by refusing to surrender a brass cannon previously given to the town as a means of protection against the Indians. The Battle of Gonzales or "Come and take it" only lasted a few minutes but most citizens in Texas realized that there was no turning back. A war had begun.
Because of this skirmish, it became known as the “Lexington of Texas.” Gonzales is one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in Texas, the first west of the Colorado River. It was established in 1825 and was the nearest such settlement to Bexar and the Battle of the Alamo. The settlement was abandoned in 1826 because of two American Indian attacks. It was rebuilt in a nearby location and the Mexican government gave the settlers a small cannon for protection against future Indian attacks. As conflict increased between the Anglo settlers and the Mexican government, a contingent of Mexican soldiers was sent from San Antonio to retrieve the cannon. The settlers posted the “Come and Take It” flag near the cannon and on October 2, 1835, Texans under the command of John H. Moore confronted the troops. Thus the Texians successfully resisted the federal troops in what became known as the Battle of Gonzales. They realized the battle was small but there was no turning back.
The William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas brings you this brief glimpse into early Texas history.

Click the above photo for the full version
October 1, 2019 - Golden Harvest Club of First Baptist Church Center, took a field trip to the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum in Hemphill on September 30, 2019. The tour was simply incredible and if you haven’t been, you need to plan a trip.

Helen Collard in the flight simulator
Hemphill was the staging area for debris retrieval during the Colombia space shuttle crash. On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during atmospheric entry, killing all seven crew members. Nearly the entire city was involved assisting.
The museum has a 15-minute orientation video shown in a professional viewing room, artifacts, educational material, and a shuttle flight simulator. Outside near the entrance is large rock with Joshua 1:6-9 inscribed.

Larry Rymal by Joshua 1:6-9 rock

September 30, 2019 - David Mathis, Music Director of First Baptist Church in Center, led members of the Golden Harvest Ministries Club in favorite hymns at the September 16 program. He also gave background and history of each song and information about the song writer. Linda Bordelon decorated the tables with colorful pot plants which were used as door prizes as a Center Garden Club project.
President Bobbie Nutt, Vice President of Programs Linda Anderson, and Secretary Ellen Manning were presented Fall mums.
Submitted by Linda Bordelon, Reporter

First Place - Windham Family Dental
September 30, 2019 (Doo Dah Parade Photos - Album1, Album2) - The 43rd East Texas Poultry Festival Doo Dah Parade, Sponsored by Center Tire Company, was held Wednesday, September 25th, on the Historic Downtown Center Square. A large number of spectators enjoyed the Queen’s Court candidate floats, civic organization and business entries. Junior Chamber of Commerce and Young Ambassador students and the Shelby Chick led the parade.
Doo Dah Parade trophy winners include:
First Place - Windham Family Dental
Second Place - Farmers State Bank
Third Place - Children’s Dental
Queen’s Court float winners include:
Sweepstakes - Kaitlin Williams
Presidential - Tatum Mettauer
Mayor - Kennedy Bush
Honorable Mention - Morgan Jefferson.
Gold Sponsors for the Doo Dah Parade are Ilho Sales and Imports Professional Title Services.
Farmers State Bank is this year’s East Texas Poultry Festival Presenting Sponsor. The traditional Cutting of the Feathers and Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Focused Care of Center, will be held Thursday, October 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. on the downtown square. See you there!

From left: Kaitlin Williams, Kristen Orsak, and Tatum Mettauer
September 28, 2019 (Photos - Album1, Album2) - Kristen Orsak was crowned the 2019 East Texas Poultry Festival Queen at the 43rd Annual ETPF Queen’s Scholarship Pageant held Saturday, September 28th. Orsak was crowned by 2018 Queen Abigail Hooper.
First runner up was announced to be Tatum Mettauer and second runner up was Kaitlin Williams.
Additional awards presented were:
Doo Dah Parade Awards:
Sweepstakes - Kaitlin Williams
Presidential - Tatum Mettauer
Mayor's - Kennedy Bush
Hon. Mention - Morgan Jefferson
Miss Congeniality - Morgan Jefferson
Photogenic:
Winner - Tatum Mettauer
1st Runner Up - Kennedy Bush
2nd Runner Up - Kela Barnes
Essay Competition:
Winner - Taylor Horton
1st Runner Up - Kristen Orsak
2nd Runner Up - Brooklinn Penning
GPA Competition:
Winner - Brooklinn Penning
1st Runner Up - Kristen Orsak
2nd Runner Up - Morgan Jefferson
UIL Participation and School Honors and Activities:
Winner - Kristen Orsak
1st Runner Up (tie) - Tatum Mettauer and Kennedy Bush
2nd Runner Up - Kaitlin Williams
Social Skills:
Winner - Tatum Mettauer
1st Runner Up - Camryn Crouch
2nd Runner Up - Kaitlin Williams
Interview:
Winner - Kristen Orsak
1st Runner Up - Tatum Mettauer
2nd Runner Up - Kaitlin Williams
Stage Presence:
Winner - Tatum Mettauer
1st Runner Up - Kaitlin Williams
2nd Runner Up - Taylor Horton
Committee Award - Azsahlia Cartwright
Grand Dukes (tie) - Jake Liker and Jake Bird
September 27, 2019 - The Center Volunteer Fire Department would like to Thank all the businesses and everyone that came out and bought a plate lunch from us during our fundraiser. We would like to thank the Shelby County Cookers for giving their time to help us.
Thank you for supporting your Volunteer Fire Department.
Thank You,
Rodney Mathews
VFD Chief










