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Around Town
November 8, 2024 - The Tri-County Community Action, Inc. (TCCA) was provided board training from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) on Monday, November 4. The training was conducted by Ms. Karen Keith, a Program Specialist who frequently travels across Texas to train local staff and gain firsthand insight into the impact of poverty on various communities.
Ms. Keith brought her dynamic personality to the training and commenced with a comprehensive historical overview, challenging the attendees to reflect on significant events from each decade since the 1960s. Stressing the importance of understanding history and collaborating to accomplish their mission, Ms. Keith left a deep impression on the participants. "I was truly enlightened by some of the insights she shared with us," remarked Jennifer Bell, the IT Director. Brenda Allen, the Social Services Director, expressed that TDHCA offered highly beneficial insights for board training and knowledge for Community Action Agencies.
During the training session, Ms. Keith emphasized the significance of having a supportive board and outlined their responsibilities when collaborating with a community action agency. She highlighted the crucial role each person plays in achieving a common goal. "Thanks to the training provided by our funding partner, TDHCA, I uncovered the potential for partnerships between the Board of Directors and the Management Team to propel the agency in meeting the needs within our service area," expressed Latricia Reynolds, CFO. "It was inspiring to learn that TDHCA recognizes Tri-County Community Action's innovative approach in delivering services to address community needs. By collaborating with our community leaders, there are endless possibilities for what we can achieve together."
The TCCA Board members have been equipped with crucial directives for ensuring the agency's success when executed with precision. These include exercising due diligence, inquiring actively, comprehending financial statements, adhering to the mission, strategic thinking and planning, conducting thorough annual performance reviews of the Executive Director, assessing and managing risks, contributing to fund development, and expressing passion. Lenola Wyatt, a Board Member, praised the TCHCA trainer for being highly knowledgeable, deeming the information provided to the board members as invaluable.
At the end of the board meeting, Ms. Keith emphasized the significance of not forgetting our purpose. She highlighted the importance of understanding why we do what we do. The Community Actions Agency is dedicated to assisting the community in overcoming poverty and serving as a beacon of hope. "Our Board of Directors is committed to excellence in oversight and its role in improving agency outcomes. Trainings in governance leadership enhance our effectiveness as a Board, as we work together with all of our partners to fulfill the mission and vision of this agency," stated Isha Brown, Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
November 7, 2024 - VFW Post 8904 held a remembrance program October 26, 2024, in honor of those who lost their lives during the Beirut, Lebanon bombing of 1983.
Richard Lundie, VFW Post 8904 Chaplain, opened the program and led with an opening prayer before the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was recited.
Lundie stated that it was early on a Sunday morning when around 06:22 hours on October 23, 1983, when two truck bombs struck buildings in Beirut, Lebanon that housed American and French service members in a multi-national force in Lebanon.
“They were a military peacekeeping operation during the Lebanese Civil War. The action killed 307 people, 241 were Americans, 5[8] was French military, six were civilians and plus the two attackers,” said Lundie.
Lundie shared that the first suicide bomb detonated a truck bomb at the building serving as a barracks for the 1st Battalion, Eighth Marines, Second Marine Division; killing 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three Army soldiers. He said, this was the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States Marine Corps since the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and the deadliest single-day death toll for the U.S. Armed Forces since the first day of the Tet offensive in Vietnam.
“Another 128 Americans were wounded in the blast and 13 died of their injuries,” said Lundie.
Minutes after the first bombing, a second bomber attacked a nine-story building where the French contingent was stationed, a few kilometers from the first.
In honor of those who died that day and the days that followed, a wreath was hung on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Post Life Member Ray Carroll, US Navy, Vietnam Veteran, and Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past Post Commander.
From left to right: (kneeling) HTAC Board Member, Stephanie Fults with Tianna; Animal Care Specialist, Cassie Cook holding Luna; (standing) HTAC President, Stephanie Elswick; 50 Women, Linda Miller; HTAC Shelter Coordinator, Kelsey Hairgrove holding Bat Cat; 50 Women, Carla Denny; HTAC Board Member, Tammy Luman; HTAC Board Member, Michelle Richards; 50 Women, Alease Copelin; HTAC Board Member, Danielle Permenter; and 50 Women, J.J. Ford.
November 6, 2024 - A check presentation was made today, November 6 to Happy Tails Adoption Center (HTAC) from 50 Women Impact group for their 4th quarter donation. Accepting the check on behalf of HTAC was Stephanie Elswick, Board President, and additional members of the board - Stephanie Fults, Michelle Richards, Danielle Permenter, and Tammy Luman. Also, present was Shelter Coordinator Kelsey Hairgrove and Animal Care Specialist Cassie Cook.
Elswick expressed sincere gratitude to the organization, “Happy Tails appreciates the immense support of 50 Women Impact. We really do appreciate being the recipient of this grant. And we are so blessed to be in a community that cares so much about saving the lives of dogs and cats.”
In the application for grant funds, Happy Tails shared how much things have changed, “As of July 2024, our 5-year plan to build a shelter turned into a 48-hour plan. It has been a fast and furious ride for sure. But we wouldn't change things for the world. We're living and learning the landscape of animal welfare in Shelby County hands on. We have no plans to slow down our efforts.”
Today, Happy Tails is working to make improvements to their facility to make it a vibrant shelter with the vision of showing the community and the outside world we care all while continuing its very important Spay It Forward spay and neuter programs and Pet Pantry. With rising prices in the grocery store, both programs give families the ability to care for their fur babies during difficult times which alleviates difficult decisions and keeps pets with their families. For more information about Happy Tails, visit online at https://happytailstexas.org/.
With the 4th quarter donation, the 50 Women Impact group has now given nearly $300,000 to local non-profits. Organizations who have received the 50 Women Impact grant funds are Shelby County Welfare Board; Texas A&M AgriLife; Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library; Boo’s Battle Support Fund; Shelby County Outreach Ministries; Jon, Macy, & Misty Bush Foundation; Hope Medical; Timpson Food for Thought & Thrift Store; Christian Community Service; Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service; Shelby County Youth Soccer; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Shelby County Expo; Cole DePriest Scholarship Fund; Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center; Shelby County Senior Nutrition Site; Cultivate Mental Health; SAKS Of Love; Shelby County Ag Building Project Fund; Happy Tails; Smyra Kids; Shelby County Fire Departments (7); the Shelby County Historical Commission; and the Senior Nutrition Site.
November 6, 2024 - Center Woman’s Reading Club’s president Alease Copelin recently recognized Montie Jones for her 29 years as an active member in the club. Mrs. Jones served as the club president in 2007-2009.
Mrs.Copelin presented Mrs. Jones with a certificate in honor and appreciation of her service to the club. The club donated books to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library in honor of Mrs. Jones. The books are written by Nicolas Sparks who is one of her favorite authors. These books will be available for checkout to library patrons.
November 5, 2024 - Billie Sue Payne and Andrea McLeroy were recognized at the Center Woman’s Reading Club at the October 17 meeting. Club President Alease Copelin presented each with a certificate noting their long years of club membership. She also presented them with books by their favorite authors that will be donated to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library in their names.
Mrs. Payne joined the reading club in 1983 and is currently an associate member in the club. She served as club president in 1993-1995. Books by her favorite author Nicolas Sparks will be available for checkout in the library.
Mrs. McLeroy joined the club in 1971 and served as club president in 1985-87. She is currently an associate member in the club. Mrs. McLeroy has a special interest in children’s books for the joy and education they provide children. Children’s books including Clifford The Red Dog will be available for checkout in the library.
Club members expressed their appreciation to these two dedicated members for their many contributions to the Center Woman’s Reading Club.
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.
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