Shelby County Today

July 3, 2017 - Toledo Finance celebrated their 50th Anniversary with the help of the community, customers, family and friends stopping in to congratulate them on their 50 years. As part of the celebration and as a thank you to everyone who stopped in, door prizes were given away including a patio set with lots of accessories.

Leslie Jordan, District Supervisor, said, "Thank you to everybody who came out to help us celebrate our 50th year in business.  It was humbling to see the turn out of not only customers but neighbors in the business community who just stopped in to congratulate us. We want everyone to know we are here to help when they need us."

Jordan continued to talk about the company and how they work to help people establish their credit without getting them stuck in a high-cost loan such as payday loans which can be a very costly way to borrow. They come due sometimes within a 2-week period and if paying in full, the loan may not seem to be too bad; however, extending the loan can carry big fees and high interest. When you make a payment here it doesn't just go to interest, it goes towards your balance.

Toledo Finance has fixed interest rates and a fixed repayment period. The loan application is easy and can require much less documentation than a bank would require explained Jordan.

They offer small loans such as credit starter loans, signature loans, and secured loan for up to $1,340. Small loans are the answer for those unexpected emergencies or utility bills, special trips or purchases such as Back-to-School clothes and supplies, or the much wanted or needed small home improvement project.

According to toledocorp.net, Toledo Finance was started in 1967 when Pat Buddin opened Toledo's first office on December 1st with a goal to be the best in every community served. Being the best creates a great working environment with opportunity for advancement for its employees who deliver the best small loan experience for the customers. Toledo Finance now has 70 office locations across the state of Texas and every office lives the motto: “Our Community, Our Customers, Our Pleasure.”

July 3, 2017 - Independence Day is a beautiful holiday. Spend time with friends and family, barbecue, fireworks, and the biggest thing to me personally is the display of patriotism!

American flags flying all over the place is one of the most beautiful sights! With that in mind, I just wanted to share a quick tip on displaying the flags. I've seen it quite a few times over the past month with new flags going up and that is the direction of which the Texas Flag is flying. It is a very common mistake. Just remember one of these two tips!

• First, the white of the flag always faces the sky and the red (blood) is to the ground!
• Second, if the star is not pointing straight up, then it's upside down!

Y'all have a very fun and safe holiday and remember, Freedom isn't free. The ultimate sacrifice has been made by many for us to celebrate this along with all other holidays!

Jason Samford
VFW Post 8904
Jr Vice Commander

June 30, 2017 - The Texas Junior High Rodeo Association held its annual state competition recently in Gonzales, Texas. Contestants from all ten regions of Texas competed against the best in the state in various categories. In order to qualify for state, a contestant must finish in the top ten standings for the year in their Region. Lieza Klein of Shelbyville represented Region V of TJHRA in barrel racing, pole bending, and in the TJHRA Princess contest.

Lieza did an outstanding job at state. In pole-bending, she made the short-go, which is the equivalent of going to the finals, and finished 13th out of over 100 contestants in that event. In the Princess contest, Lieza finished as first runner-up in a very close competition in which she won the speech presentation and also won first in the horsemanship category.

Lieza returns home as the reigning Region 5 TJHRA Princess.

Congratulations on a strong positive representation at TJHRA State and best of luck in the upcoming rodeo season.

June 30, 2017 -  Local beekeepers Mike and Linda Bordelon presented a program on the "Importance of Bees" which included an observation hive to the 4-8 age group at the Fannie Brown Booth Library Summer Reading Event on June 29.  The children were able to have a hands-on experience with beekeeping tools and a close up look at bees working in the hive.

Mike Bordelon shown with Jewel Sneed, displaying a frame; Ava Lane in a bee hat; and Rihana Lane displaying a smoker.