Around Town
December 6, 2018 (Order Form) - Tomorrow, December, 7th is the last day to turn in your "Letter from Santa" Order Forms!
Time has flown by, but tomorrow is the deadline. Parents have been sending their forms in quick and Santa already has lots of letters to write! Be sure to get your order form in before it's too late.
The letters are $10 per child. Your child will receive a personal letter from Santa Claus along with an ornament to hang on the tree. This ornament will remind them of what the real reason for the season is and the excitement of this moment. Santa will address the letter to your child to make their Christmas season extra special!
Here are the ways you can get a "Letter from Santa" Order Form: Pick one up from Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. by asking for Josh. You can check our Facebook pages and print one out from there and turn them into the Outreach. Shelbyville Elementary school is also helping us with this fundraiser, so, if your child attends that school, turn all order forms into the front office by tomorrow.
For questions or more information, please call us at 936-598-4990. Just ask for Josh. Thank you and may you all have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
December 5, 2018 - Thank you to Xi Alpha Delta Rho Sorority for their very generous donation to Center First United Methodist Church Lucretia's Christmas Wish program that sponsors a program each Christmas for students around the county.
Each year over 100 students from county schools are invited to the program to select a gift for their mom and dad. It was the idea of beloved FUMC member Lucretia Bussey to give these students the opportunity to learn the joy of giving and she sponsored a similar program in area schools. FUMC adopted the program and named it in her honor and now memory. In addition to choosing gifts for their parents, students also can chose a small gift for themselves. It truly is a joyous occasion.
In addition to the money donated by Xi Alpha Delta Rho, members of the sorority also act as Santa's helpers and put the gifts in Christmas bags lined with tissue paper. What a blessing the ladies of Xi Alpha Delta Rho are for helping with this special project. They make Christmas very special for these students.
December 5, 2018 - President George H.W. Bush was a true gentleman, whose life was devoted to public service. Reports on his character state that he wanted to be remembered as a public servant and not a politician. Therefore, Shelby County is honoring the memory of our 41st President, George H.W. Bush by being public servants and remaining open on Wednesday, December 5 to serve our citizens. I am so proud of the legacy that President Bush has given us as a nation and a state, humility, service, and knowing that we live in the greatest nation in the world.

December 3, 2018 (Parade Photos) - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee announces the winners of the 19th Annual Santa’s Christmas Parade, sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank, which was held on Saturday, December 1. The theme for the parade was “A Mardi Gras Christmas”.
Winners by Category are:
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY:
$100 -- 1st Place – April Flores
$50 – 2nd Place – Marsha Barnett/Hudnall for Sheriff
$25 – 3rd Place – Marsha Barnett/Hudnall for Sheriff
SCHOOL CATEGORY:
$100 -- 1st Place – Center High School Band
$50 -- 2nd Place – Center High School Cheerleaders
CHURCH CATEGORY:
$100 -- 1st Place – St. Therese of Lisieux
$50 -- 2nd Place – White Rock Missionary Baptist Church
$25 -- 3rd Place – First Baptist Church (Adult Choir)
CIVIC ORGANIZATION CATEGORY:
$100 -- 1st Place – Shelby County Sheriff’s Department
$50 -- 2nd Place – East Texas Disciples/Christian Motorcyclists Association
$25 -- 3rd Place – Shelby County Cruisers
BUSINESS CATEGORY:
$100 -- 1st Place – Shelby Savings Bank
$50 -- 2nd Place – Tyson Foods
$25 -- 3rd Place – Harkness Litter Service/H5 Farms LLC
$250 -- Overall Best in Show – St. Therese of Lisieux

Other supporters that helped make the Parade possible include City of Center, Farmers State Bank, Specter, Inc., and Tyson Foods.
For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or info@shelbycountychamber.com.

December 3, 2018 - Shelby County Attorney Gary Rholes thanks the Newbern Chapter No. 1135, Order of the Eastern Star, for their generous donation and continuous support to the Shelby County Toy Fund over the years. Mrs. Grace Stockstill presented the donation to Shelby County Attorney Gary Rholes.
The Toy Drive needs donations of new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 3 through 12 or monetary donations. The toys are then distributed by Shelby County Attorney's Office. Anyone needing further information can call the Office at (936-598-6100).
December 3, 2018 Update: The total being given to The Shelby County Outreach Ministries for November is $9350.00!

November 15, 2018 - During the 50 Women of Impact meeting Shelby County Outreach Ministries was selected to be the recipient of the November 2018 donation made by the group.
As of the meeting time, the group had collected $5,300; however, it is expect the remaining donations from the over 100 women will bring the total donation to over $10,000.
Shelby County Outreach Ministries (SCOM) has four programs that serve the community in various ways. In 2017, they distributed 102,237 pounds of food; fed 17,942 meals; distributed 3,161 emergency food boxes; fed over 5,716 people; and met the needs of 2,989 people in Shelby County. The funds will be utilized to continue the support of the programs currently in place. Feeding the hungry and assisting the needs of the people in Shelby County is the mission of SCOM.
The 50 Women of Impact group organized and held their first meeting in November of 2017 with the hopes of getting 50 women to give $100 each quarter for a combined contribution to an elected organization. The first meeting surpassed the 50 women with 94 inaugural members. Today there are over 100 women who have joined the cause with more seeking to join. They have met once a quarter since then donating funds during the first year to the Shelby County Welfare Board; AgriLife Extension, Shelby Family Consumer Science program; Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library; and Boo's Battle Cancer Fund.
November 30, 2018 - Santa Claus is coming to town this Saturday, December 1.
In keeping with the holiday tradition, the Grand Marshal will lead the parade at 6:00pm. Dr. Jheri-Lynn McSwain, the 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipient is this year’s Grand Marshal. Over 20 floats will make their way through the heart of downtown to delight the young and old alike.
Blush Boutique, COR Boutique, Center Floral & Gifts, Hughes Florist, Mooney’s Emporium, Payne & Payne Home N’Suchlike, Simply Personal, The Century Shoppe and Vintage Junkie will be holding their Open Houses during the day and many will be open during the parade.
The Rio Theatre will be showing a special Matinee of The Grinch at 3:30. The box office will open at 3:00. The Rio Theatre will also have its usual 7:30 movie showing following the parade.
Thank you to this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Shelby Savings Bank. Also, thank you to the City of Center, our Float Competition Sponsor; Farmers State Bank, Specter, Inc. and Tyson Foods, all Silver Sponsors.
Parade winners will be announced via media on Monday, December 3rd.
November 30, 2018 (Application Form) - The Blue Santa Team is ready to get to work!
This year things are going to be done a little differently, with a deadline on returning forms set for November 30th. If you know of any child in Shelby County that may not have any Santa this Christmas, please fill out this form. One for each child and turn back into the Center Police Department Dispatch, or Shelby County Today. This form will need to be returned to the PD no later than Thursday, November 30th 2018. Any form turned in after the due date will NOT be accepted. This ensures us plenty of time to get all the toys we will need. Remember, all forms are anonymous.
Forms or Monetary donations can also be mailed to BLUE SANTA at P.O. Box 322 Center, Tx 75935. If you would like to donate new toys, clothing, hygiene items please bring them to the Center Police Dept. Boys and girls of all ages will be needed, infant to 15yrs old. The entire Blue Santa team would like to thank everyone for your generous donation to the Blue Santa program. With your donation and others like yours, we will be able to provide Christmas to many children in Shelby County. Again thank you, we can not do it without you! Let Blue Santa help You make a Childs Christmas blessed this year.
Thank You,
from the Operation Blue Santa Team!

November 30, 2018 - Toledo Bend Retired Teachers Association donated over 200 scholastic books to the 2nd graders at Center Elementary on November 29, 2018. These books were given to the students to take home. The goal of the retired teachers is to encourage reading not only at school but also at home. Toledo Bend RTA is one of the local units of the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
Pictured with the students standing on the left are Nina Sue Smith, Gloria Holmes, and Christine Patton and standing on the right are Tharasa Netherly-Thomas and Cristy Byndom.
November 30, 2018 - The annual County Attorney Toy Drive has begun according to County Attorney Gary Rholes. The Toy Drive needs donations of new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 3 through 12 or monetary donations.
The toys are then distributed by his office. “The need is great this year, so we really need help from our generous Shelby County Citizens,” Rholes stated.
Anyone needing further information can call the County Attorney’s Office at (936-598-6100).










