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Around Town
October 30, 2024 - Members of Joaquin Masonic Lodge #856 Atwood Kay, Jr., Travis Rodgers, and Julius Clifford Hamilton were honored October 15, 2024,
Tommy Spurlock, Worshipful Master, addressed all present and recognized the reason they had assembled, “Brothers, we are assembled upon this occasion to pay a tribute to the respect and esteem to the distinguished brothers of Joaquin Lodge, number 856.”
Spurlock noted that it was with great pride and pleasure Joaquin Lodge 856 had three members within the lodge that had 50 and 65 years of service who were being honored.
Lodge Secretary John Paul Sledge read the full Masonic record of the brothers being honored. First he read the record of brother Julius Clifford Hamilton.
“Initiated in entered apprentice on August 5, 1955, passed his degree of fellow craft on September 30, 1955 and raised in the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 4, 1955,” aid Sledge. “He was been affiliated with Joaquin Lodge ever since, and he's never been suspended for non-payment of dues. He got his 50-year pin in November of '14.”
Also being honored was Travis Rodgers and Sledge read his record aloud, “He was initiated as an apprentice on October 1, 1966, passed in the degree of fellow craft, on the 3rd of June, 1969, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 21, 1969,” said Sledge. “He got his 50-year pin today and he's never been suspended for non-payment of dues.”
Sledge then read the Masonic record of Atwood Kay, Jr. “Atwood Kay, Jr. got initiated as an under apprentice Mason on March 4, 1974, passed to the degree of fellow craft on June 15, 1974 and raised his final degree of a Master Mason on August 13, 1974,” said Sledge. “He's been affiliated with Sam Houston, Number 32, and Shelbyville, and a member of Joaquin Lodge Number 856.”
Vance Jordan, Lodge Chaplain, then led a prayer in recognition of the event and those being honored.
Jimmy Wagstaff, District Deputy Grand Master, then presented the 50 and 65 year pins to the members.
“My brothers, by virtue of the authority in me vested, it is now my happy privilege for on behalf of the most worshipful grand lodge of the ancient, honorable fraternity of free and accepted mason's of the state of Texas to present to you this Texas Grand Lodge Award as a visible token of its fraternal love and grateful appreciation,” Said Wagstaff.
Travis Rodgers was then presented with his 50-year pin; Julius Clifford Hamilton with his 65-year pin and Alton Kay, Jr. with his 50-year pin.
Toward the end of the meeting, Jerry Agnew remarked on the combined 165 years of a Masonic career among the three honorees, and that he greatly admires them.
Sledge introduced Nakia Register, and her husband Robby, as they were invited to the altar and Nakia was presented with the Community Builder Award.
He remarked the award has previously been presented to city council members, mayors, school board members, teachers, and pastors.
“This year we would like to recognize Ms. Nakia Register. For those that don't know, Ms. Nakia is the owner and operator of the Ram House restaurant, which is excellent by the way. But it's not her role as a business owner which earned her this honor, it's her heart,” said Sledge.
He continued, stating, “I can say without a shadow of a doubt, and from personal experience, that her heart to help someone in need is the light in a world that grows increasingly darker by the day. This is what makes her a prime example of this award and to bear the name of the award Community Builder.”
Upon receiving the Community Builder Awards, Register then stated she was very honored.
Jordan commented all that she does for the community is appreciated.
October 29, 2024 - (Album) - Center ISD F.L. Moffett Primary students visited Center Fire Department on October 24, 2024, to learn about fire prevention.
The students gathered in the fire truck bay and Chief Keith Byndom spoke with the students about fire safety and what to do in the event of a fire.
Texas A&M Forest Service representatives including Kim Sowell, George Burnett, Mitchell Sowell, and “Smokey the Bear,” were also there to speak with the students about fire safety.
Students had the opportunity to meet “Smokey” and then they all went outside the fire department to see water sprayed from the Center Fire Department’s ladder truck.
October 29, 2024 - The 11th Annual Halloween in the Hole brought in hundreds of trick-or-treaters who were able to overflow their good bags and baskets with candy and more on Monday, October 28. Spiderman and the Hulk were both a favorite pick of many who dressed up for the trick-or-treat experience.
Another big hit was the 1st annual Hide and Seek from the Police fundraiser which raised money for Operation Blue Santa. Many little ghosts and goblins took to the ball field for fun opportunity to outrun the police. To enjoy photos from the event, click here.
October 28. 2024 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) would like to thank everyone for an awesome day Saturday, October 26! Seeing downtown Joaquin so swamped with people and bustling with activity was a wonderful sight. We want to thank everyone who stopped in at the station and bought a burger, but it goes much deeper than that.
The addition of the Flying G Motorcycle Museum (#FlyingGMotorcycleMuseum) is the beginning of some big things in our community, and the JVFD is proud to be a part of it. We are excited about the growth we see coming and the positive impacts that it will bring. We also took advantage of the large crowd and the fact that many bikers are also veterans and added over 30 veterans signatures to Brush 3, aka “The Patriot.” Many of these folks were from out of town and were really excited about being asked to add their name to something so unique. The JVFD is proud to be #protectingthe269.
Pictured are (from left): Fermin Ramirez, East Texas Poultry Supply; Alan Ricketson, Sam Samford Lodge; Sammy Arnold, Sam Samford Lodge; Taylor Buster, Texas Department of Public Safety.
October 24, 2024 - Sam Samford Lodge #149 delivered a pallet carrying cases of bottled water to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Center Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Lodge members support local public safety organizations by delivering donated water. This water was supplied by H&S Grocery in Center and East Texas Poultry Supply provided a forklift, driven by Fermin Ramirez, to move the pallet.
Delivering the water were Masonic Lodge members Sammy Arnold and Alan Ricketson. DPS Trooper Taylor Buster received the water on behalf of the DPS office.
Earlier this month, water was also delivered to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Center Police Department.
October 24, 2024 - One of the first things Jesse Maynard shared about Timpson's Masonic Lodge #437 at the October meeting of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society was that it was established in 1874, 11 years before Timpson was! A Mason for 32 years and Past Master at St. John's Lodge #51 and Timpson Lodge #437, Mr. Maynard currently serves as the Secretary of the Timpson Lodge. Mr. Maynard explained how the founding the Timpson Lodge came about.
“Timpson Lodge #437 was chartered in June of 1874 in the extreme southeastern part of Rusk County as the Golden Drain Lodge. After a few years the Lodge was moved to a few miles to Caledonia, where it remained until 1877,” Maynard explained. “All the records of Lodge #437 were destroyed in a fire in 1908 and the exact details of the move are unknown. Records of the Grand Lodge of Texas reveal that the original members of the Lodge were Richard Avery, A. R. Dillon, T. S. Garrison, B. L. Jopling, Elijah Phillips, James L. Smith, and P.M.C. Winder, with a total of 13 members by the end of the first year. S.R. Patton of #437 was the first man to receive three degrees from the Golden Drain Lodge. In 1883 a total of 39 member was reported”.
Timpson was established by the railroad in 1885 and soon was a booming little town. “By the end of 1888, most of the members of the Golden Drain Lodge had moved to Timpson,” Maynard continued. “In December of 1888, the records of the Grand Lodge of Texas passed a resolution recognizing the fact that the Golden Drain Lodge had moved to Timpson without permission from the Grand Lodge of Texas and an investigation was ordered. Following the presentation of the report in 1889, permission was granted for Lodge #437 to move to Timpson, however the Timpson Lodge was censured for having made the move without the prior permission of the Grand Lodge of Texas.”
The Lodge continued to operate under the Golden Drain name until 1896, when it was changed to the Timpson Lodge. Over the years, the Timpson Lodge maintained a membership of 45 to 50 Master Masons. Some members transferred to newly created Lodges in Tenaha and Joaquin, as well as to the restored Newburn Lodge, #98,” Maynard said.
The meeting was attended by a number of local Masons, and they and Maynard fielded a large number of questions from the audience regarding Masonry.
The Timpson Area Genealogical Society meets at 2pm on the third Wednesday of each month in the meeting room of the Timpson Public Library on the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets in downtown Timpson. The public is invited. The TAGHS library is located within the Timpson Public Library and is open and staffed from 9am until 5pm weekdays. Telephone 936-254-2966 and ask for the Genealogical Library.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class kicked off the 9 month program with Heritage Day. The day started with a tour of the Historic Courthouse and DRT building, hosted by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. David Chadwick took the group on a walking tour of the downtown square discussing building styles. Alease and Rayford Copelin gave a presentation on Historic Homes of Center, specifically those homes that no longer exist, and a presentation on the historic downtown square.
Following lunch, the group traveled to Shelbyville to tour the Shelbvyille Methodist Church and the historic Shelbyville cemetery. The day ended at the Shelby County Museum where the class viewed the exhibit of rural tools and learned about the history of Shelbyville, Center and the Regulator-Moderator War from Vickie Martin.
Thank you so much to the following presenters: JJ Ford, Vickie Martin, Merle Howard, Maggie Casto, Gail Sholar, David Chadwick and Alease and Rayford Copelin. Thank you to Center ISD transportation department for providing the transportation.
The Leadership Shelby County Class of 2024-2025 includes the following: Ginger Borders, Kyle Chamblis, Felicia Cloudy, Nikki Hardy, Clay Ihlo, O’Neal Jones, Courtney O’Rear, Laura Romero, Feleshia Thompson and Misty Wright.
The next session will be Government Day on November 20th.
October 21, 2024 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held their regular monthly meeting this past Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the First Methodist Church in Center, Texas.
The October Challenge was classified as "Perspective Angles," where club members could submit up to 3 of their photographs, using the same subject with 3 different angles. Low angle, high angle and Dutch angle. Clubs members voted for their favorite photos and a critique discussion was held.
If you want to view all the monthly entries check out our flickr page, flickr.com/groups/pineywoodsphotographic/
The October Favorites are:
1st Place Favorite: Julie Cantrell-Green, with a low angle perspective
2nd Place Favorite: Debra Cockrel, with a low angle perspective
3rd Place Favorite (Tie): Charley Cantrell with a low angle perspective
3rd Place Favorite (Tie): Anna Jones with a Dutch angle perspective
October 20, 2024 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Ambassadors attended a New Member Ribbon Cutting event for Jodi Zaunbrecher, owner of Rise Life Coaching, LLC on October 15, 2024.
Jodi is a Certified Professional Life Coach. Her mission is to help women Rise out of the trials of life whether the trials are health, relationships or just life in general. She works with her clients to develop a step by step plan with realistic goal setting and accountability for achieving the goals. Rise Life Coaching is christian and faith based.
Deborah Chadwick, Chamber President, welcomed Jodi [Zaunbrecher] and Rise Life Coaching as a Chamber member. She invited Zaunbrecher to speak about Rise Life Coaching.
Jodi introduced herself and her family explaining they are originally from south Louisiana before they moved to here. About her business she shared, “I just want to help encourage and strengthen and just come alongside women who are going through difficult things and just give them encouragement - say we can do this. Sometimes when you talk about things out loud then you can see different things from different perspectives that you couldn’t see when you’re wrapped up in your own head. And so just putting it out and just talking about it, and just setting goals to move forward is sometimes a very, very powerful thing. Just know that Jesus Christ is our helper and our comforter and our wisdom and so just to go to Him with all of it and come out as a better person through the trial.”
She continued, “Rise Life Coaching came from ‘rise out of trials’ because sometimes when you feel like you are just… when I went through a very difficult time it was just, I just have to rise for the next five minutes, that’s all I have to do is just rise, keep rising, keep rising, and then… yes, so that’s just were rise came from - is just to keep rising up through difficult jobs.”
Jodi advised services are by appointment only because it is one on one. Call or message to setup an appointment.
A question was asked regarding the time frame needed and Jodi responded “Everyone is different. When I went through training, they recommended a 12-week, but, I don’t know, I would rather just kind of do it as you need it.” She explained the process is what works best for the individual to be able to reach their goals. She works with women only with the exception of boys under the age of 18.
To schedule an appointment, call or message 337-207-2823. Rise Life Coaching is located at 709 Southview Circle, Center, Texas.
October 18, 2024 - Women in military service were honored by VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary on October 18, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial.
Mary Roberts, Post member, led the program and shared a history as it relates to women serving in the military and she began by sharing that the history of Women in the armed forces began more than 225 years ago with women who served during the American Revolution and continues through the present day.
“The women we honor here today are a remarkable bunch. Think of it. In the Revolutionary and Civil War, they wanted to serve so badly that they disguised themselves as men. In 1917, without even the right to vote, nurses answered the call to duty during World War I and served everywhere, including near the front lines in France,” said Roberts.
Roberts related that during World War I there were there long and tedious hours caring for those that were wounded and maimed, and that there was also the additional challenge of dealing with the 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide, including many of the nurses themselves.
During World War II, women answered the call to duty once again and from then on their involvement increased.
“When the armed services opened up their ranks to women that freed men up for battle, 77 nurses in the Pacific were taken prisoners of war. At Anzio, Italy, six Army nurses died from German bombardments. In the mud of Korea, 70% of the Army nurses served in a mobile Army surgical hospital battery known as a MASH unit,” said Roberts.
Roberts explained that 7,500 American Army women served in the Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and that Army nurse Lieutenant Sharon Lane, age 25, was killed during a rocket attack in Chu Lai, Vietnam with seven others dying in accidents and of illness.
“In 1990, 40,000 American women deployed for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. According to the USO more than 300,000 women served during post 9 /11 war, including Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom,” said Roberts. “More than 9,000 have earned the Combat Action Badge. Sixteen percent of our nation's armed forces are made up of women. 152 have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
In honor of women in military service, a memorial wreath was placed on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Austin Hutto.
Taps was then played as presented by Past-Post-Commander Gene Hutto.
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