Shelby County Today

January 9, 2019 - Shelby County AgriLife Extension hosted an Elected Officials Luncheon on Friday, December 7, 2018 with 4-H officers providing the program.

Extension agents Lane Dunn, Jheri-Lynn McSwain, and Felicia Thompson welcomed everyone to the event. Dunn reflected on the passing of President Bush and the value the late President placed upon service to others. He expressed to those attending, "A thank you for your service and that we can't do what we do without the support of [each of you] and the community. And we greatly appreciate that." Dunn also gave appreciation and praise for their great facility which they moved into in the Fall of 2017 and which accommodates the many meetings 4-H hosts with its various programs throughout the year.

Jheri-Lynn McSwain reiterated what Lane said, "Thank you very much for coming out. Like Lane said we definitely appreciate your support and how you help us with 4-H and the programs that we try to provide and do provide the community. Thank you very much."

4-H officers gave testimonials for the luncheon program while those attending enjoyed a steak meal. Garrett Saenz, President of the Shelby County 4-H, said, "During 4-H I have done a few projects and in FFA. By far my favorite project has been showing animals." He gave his history of showing animals. He finished saying, "4-H for me has taught me a lot of things. It has taught me responsibility, respect, and most of all it has given me a passion to find something I want to do in my future career which is something in the agriculture area. Not only has it given me a passion to find what my future career is, it also has given me a passion to inspire younger kids because in 4-H we have kids all the way from 3rd grade up to 12th grade. It has given me a passion to inspire younger ones and help them figure out what they want to do in their future and help them get involved in the community. So, 4-H has been a big blessing in my life and it has taught me many, many things."

Additional officers described 4-H as teaching responsibility, respect, leadership, community involvement, mentoring others, and socializing with other 4-H youth across the country. The officers who spoke along with Saenz were Wesley Wages - Vice President, Lance Holloway - Secretary, Hannah Wages - Treasurer, Camille Greer - Reporter, Laura Ann Scull - Activity Officer, Michelle Gomez - Recruitment Officer, Gracie Boyd - Information Technology Officer, and Fatima Romero - Community Service Officer.

Baylor University Confers Degrees on Fall Graduates

January 8, 2019 Waco – M. Lynn Davis of Center graduated in December from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Management Information Systems.

Baylor University conferred degrees on more than 900 graduates during fall commencement exercises December 15, 2018, in the Ferrell Center on the Baylor campus.

Baylor’s mission is to educate students for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment in a caring community. Nestled along the banks of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, Baylor provides numerous educational and research opportunities across various disciplines through 128 baccalaureate programs, 77 master’s programs, 45 doctoral programs, a juris doctor and education specialist programs and the Master of Laws program. Baylor students interact with outstanding full-time faculty from their first days on campus, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1. The University’s vibrant campus life also includes more than 300 clubs and organizations and varsity athletics competing in the Big 12 Conference. For more information, visit www.baylor.edu.

The graduation news release and a complete listing of all graduates are available at the following link: https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/index.php?id=87572.

Group photo of charter members taken at SCCF's first public meeting held May 29th.

January 2, 2019 - The Shelby County Cancer Fund reports in a newsletter the highlights of community support given during the year and 2018 to be a successful beginning. (Click here to read the newsletter)

The organization advises, with the help of so many, they were able to assist 14 families. Of the families assisted, nine were from applications submitted and five were love offerings. Love offerings are for people who don't send an application but the group knows could use a little extra blessing. Of the 14 helped, there were two warriors who are no longer with us. SCCF is very thankful they were able to help them in their time of need and ask that everyone keep their families in your prayers. Prayers are asked for cancer warriors who continue to struggle.

SCCF is a non-profit organization formed by volunteers to help any Shelby County resident currently battling cancer. We offer assistance with bills, travel expenses and meal costs through a simple and discreet application process. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact any board member. The membership fee is $25 and is used to pay for all operating costs. We also welcome any tax deductible contributions, of which 100% goes right into the hands of those in need. Most importantly, we continually lift all cancer warriors and their families up in prayer to Almighty God!!

The board of SCCF holds public meetings at 6:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month (January 8, 2019) at First Baptist Church of Shelbyville. Please feel free to join us!!

December 27, 2018 - Selected students from the CHS Theatre Department assisted Hope Medical with their Santa project at the clinic on Thursday afternoon December 20. While children and parents enjoyed sweet treats, hot cocoa and coffee and visited with Santa on the porch of the clinic, the theatre students served as unofficial elves, attracting traffic, visiting with the children, assisting Santa, and singing carols. 

Kids enjoying smores.

The theatre elves included Ariel Liker, Kayashia Evans, Aiashala , Starla Fischer, Macy Harvey, Alex Spruiell, and Jack Callen Watlington. Keyboard music was provided by Keaton Watlington.

"It was a lot of fun," sophomore elf Alex Spruiell said. "When we started singing, the kids and their parents just stepped right up and sand with us. We were cold, but we all had a good time!"

Even though it was not a traditional production, theatre teacher Chris Watlington was pleased with the event.

"The department is always looking for ways to partner with the community," Watlington said. This Hope project was a very good opportunity -- the Hope Clinic is such a wonderful asset to our county, we were delighted to be a small part of their mission."

Hope Medical has medical offices in Tenaha and Center, with a women's health center in Center also.