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Around Town

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August 16, 2016 - The August Golden Harvest Ministries Club meeting was held Monday, August 15, in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church in Center, Texas, with 36 members and guests attending. The tables were decorated with the last of summer flowers from Linda Bordelon’s gardens. President Joe Anderson called the meeting to order, and Harold Hanson led the group in singing two song favorites.  Alice West accompanied on the piano.

Guest speaker Roger Doyle, Golden Harvest Ministries Club, August 15 meeting.

Visitors included guest speaker Roger Doyle, his wife Judy, Vickie Shannon, and David Guin. August birthdays were recognized with singing “Happy Birthday” to member Maudie Warr and guests Judy Doyle, Vickie Shannon, and David Guin. Couples celebrating August anniversaries were Linda and Mike Bordelon, 51 years on August 14, and Jim and Ann Forbes would have celebrated 63 years on August 20.

Bro. Carl Smith blessed the food, and members and guests enjoyed a wide variety of vegetables, salads, fried chicken, and desserts, which included Linda and Mike’s 51st anniversary cake.

Program Chairman Linda Anderson introduced guest speaker Roger Doyle, a member of the Sons of the Confederacy, who presented a program on the Civil War.  He described the clothing and customs of that era as well as other items and food used by the Union and Confederate soldiers.

Ann Forbes directed a review of the Prayer Report and encouraged all to visit our local nursing homes. Ellen Manning read the July minutes, and Betty Green gave the treasurer’s report for the end of July.

Joe announced that flu shots would be given at the October meeting. Members only need their Medicare card.  Joe appointed a Nominating Committee for 2017 officers, and ended the meeting in prayer.  The Golden Harvest Ministries Club meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church in Center, Texas.

Reporter, Linda Bordelon

Donna Dugger among 45 court employees in Texas who received special certification

August 15, 2016 Austin, Texas – Center Employee Donna Dugger was among 45 court administrators, clerks, managers, and supervisors from municipal courts across Texas that graduated on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from the Court Management Program (CMP) of the Institute for Court Management (ICM).  ICM is the educational arm of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) in Williamsburg, Virginia. NCSC, founded in 1971, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership, research, technology, and education services to the state courts. The program was co-sponsored by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center in Austin (www.tmcec.com). Since 2000, over 500 court professionals from across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have achieved certification.

Dugger is employed as the Court Clerk  with the Center Municipal Court. Prior to participation in the CMP final seminar on Purposes and Responsibilities of the Court, Dugger completed five core courses in court administration: Court Performance Standards, Fundamental Issues of Caseflow Management, Managing Court Financial Resources, Managing Human Resources, and Managing Technology.

The court administrators, clerks, managers, and supervisors completing the course of study were recognized in a ceremony held at the Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin, Texas. The certificates were presented in a ceremony by Presiding Judge Barbara Hervey of the Court of Criminal Appeals and Presiding Judge Ed Spillane of the College Station Municipal Court. ICM recognizes Donna Dugger as a Certified Court Manager (CCM).

August 13, 2016 - 

Each year, College Station, Texas hosts the Texas Municipal Fire/ Rescue Training School, with classes being held on the Texas A&M University campus, as well as Brayton Fire Training Field, which is the largest facility of its kind in the world. This school takes place on the last full week of July each year, and is made possible by the participation of some three hundred guest instructors, who take time from their jobs and lives to help train emergency personnel from across the state. On Wednesday, July 27th, the school paused before its morning session to honor tenured guest instructors who had passed away since last year's school. The annual memorial gives a solemn tribute to the service and dedication of these instructors, including a full honor guard, a pipe and drum corps, and a "Firefighter's Prayer". The instructor's name is permanently inscribed on the Memorial Wall, which is located inside the front entrance of Brayton Fire Field. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department said goodbye to two of its cornerstone members this past December, and both were tenured instructors at the Municipal School.

Former JVFD Fire Chief James Michael Wood served as a guest instructor for 23 years on Project 63, Positive Pressure Ventilation, which teaches advanced interior structural firefighting techniques to students in Firefighting Phase III. Chief Wood served the JVFD from 1974 until his death on December 17th, 2015. He served the department as a firefighter, fire chief, training officer, and safety officer. He was also a science teacher at Joaquin High School for over 30 years, and recruited many of his students into the fire service. Mike's wife, Lavonne, daughters Janie Jones and Jennifer Whittlesey, son-in-law David Jones, and granddaughters Carsen McFarland, Peyton Jones, and Mary Kate Whittlesey were all in attendance for the memorial.

Former JVFD Fire Chief Elmer Reverne Mathews served as a guest instructor for 17 years on Project 24, Pump Operations, which teaches fire department pump skills and water supplies to students in Firefighting Phase II. Chief Mathews was a charter member of the JVFD, serving from its formation in 1973 until his death on December 25th, 2015. He served the department as a firefighter, fire chief, and training officer. Also, prior to his passing, Chief Mathews was the only Chaplain the JVFD ever had. He was also a career educator, working as a math teacher, elementary principal, bus driver, and football stadium announcer for the Joaquin ISD for over 30 years. Elmer's wife Dorothy, son Rodney and wife Denise, and daughter Nancy Smith and husband Frank were all present for the memorial.

JVFD 1st Assistant Chief Jeremy Boyett, 2nd Assistant Chief Steve Cockrell and his wife Joyce, Training Officer Stephen Ewing, Secretary/ Treasurer Rusty Wilson, Assistant Fire Marshall Justin Boyett, and Firefighters Jesse Parent and Michael Bates were also on hand for the ceremony. The influence and leadership that Chief Mathews and Chief Wood provided to the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department will be felt for many years to come. Their commitment to training is still carried on today.

August 13, 2016 - Six members of the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department recently attended the 87th Annual Texas Municipal Fire/ Rescue Training School in College Station, Texas. Classes for the school are held on the campus of Texas A&M University and Brayton Fire Training Field, which is the largest Fire/ Rescue training facility in the world.

Firefighter Michael Bates made the trip for the first time, and took Firefighting Phase II. Firefighter II is a 36 hour course which includes classroom sessions as well as hands-on skills training, including live burns.

Firefighter Jesse Parent made his fourth consecutive school. This year, he took Rescue Practices III/ Vehicle Extrication, a 36 hour course which teaches advanced techniques in vehicle rescue.

1st Assistant Chief Jeremy Boyett and Secretary/ Treasurer Rusty Wilson both took NFPA Instructor I, which will allow them to teach training classes to fellow firefighters.

Assistant Fire Marshall Justin Boyett took Safety Officer I, which stresses the importance of scene safety to emergency personnel.

Training Officer Stephen Ewing has served as a guest instructor at the school for four consecutive years now. He teaches on Project 50, also known as the Structural Burn Complex, which uses live burns to teach interior structural firefighting techniques to students in Firefighting Phase II.

The JVFD remains committed to providing the best training available to its personnel, which allows them to serve the citizens of Northeastern Shelby County effectively. The training is made possible through a grant from the Texas Forest Service.

August 13, 2016 - A ribbon cutting was held at the new location of Sassy Red's Bakery and Margaret's Lamb & Lion Bookstore on August 11, 2016 in Center. The two businesses are now combined under the name Sassy Red's Inc.

Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and members of the community welcomed the businesses to the new location at 1000 Tenaha Street. Sassy Red's Bakery provides confections such as cupcakes, cakes and cookies. Special orders are accepted on several food items. A new additional to what is offered by the bakery is coffee.

"We have our espresso and we do the frappuccinos, cappuccinosv and iced coffees," said Cindy Lindsey, owner of Sassy Red's Bakery.

Margaret's Lamb & Lion Bookstore offers a variety of gifts and Christian themed items.

To contact the businesses dial 936-598-2447.

August 10, 2016 - Jason Balkcom, Center Rotary Club President, presented a donation in the amount of $49,400 to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Foundation (RSF) during the Tuesday, August 9th Rotary Club Meeting.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the RSF was foundation trustee, David Chadwick. The donated funds were raised during the Fun for Funds benefit auction event held March 29th. The event was organized by Past Rotary President Anna Lee.

Chadwick expressed appreciation for the donation, "The funds will be there. To realize that this money will never be spent, the income off of it will, that's that many more scholarships and more opportunities that we give our youth. Rotary has certainly received acknowledgement for the work that they have done and there's not any need to belittle that in any form of propriety but then when you really see what the real results, it's not a Rotary trophy that you get, it's lives that your making. So, thank you very much on behalf of the board and we do appreciate it."

Each year funds from the auction benefit the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Fundation. Over the years, the auction has raised over $1,000,000 for the scholarship foundation. RSF has presented over 1,600 scholarships totaling over $1,000,000 to graduating CHS students and is funded by donations, not just from Rotary, but from the community. It has provided Center ISD students with a resource very few school systems have.

August 9, 2016 - Album - A benefit carnival was held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 for #TeamRyan to benefit Ryan Moore, a 6-year-old who is fighting leukemia.

The fundraiser was held behind Trails End in Huxley. Several separate fundraisers were held including a car show, carnival activities, a golf cart race, and "buzzing off cancer" where guys could pay $5 to have their heads shaved in support of Ryan.

Pictured are (from left) event organizers Mackenzie Shelton and Erica Gamble.

At the end of the car show Kenneth Jordan was presented with the People's Choice award. Entry into car shows usually will go toward prize money for the winner, instead the money was donated to help Moore.

Another #TeamRyan fundraiser is scheduled for 6pm August 13, 2016 at the Huxley Volunteer Fire. The event will have burger plates, games for adults and children, a bake sale and cake walk.

A #TeamRyan softball tournament is scheduled for 9am August 27, 2016. Entry fee for each team of 10 players is $150 with the option of a $5 wristband for home runs. There is no age limit. For more information contact Johnie Gamble at 936-332-7005 or Erica Gamble at 936-427-2736.

Kenneth Jordan won the People's Choice Award at the car show held during the #TeamRyan fundraiser.

Center Police Department staff

Shelby County Sheriff's Department staff

August 5, 2016 - Two area businesses have come together to show their appreciation for local law enforcement on Friday, August 5, 2016 by providing them a meal.

Joshua Moody and Lily Moody of Classic Nails in Center came up with the idea to deliver Little Caesars pizza to the Center Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department in appreciation of officers and dispatchers at both locations. Once the newly opened Little Caesars in Center was made aware of the Moody's plan, they contributed to the effort.

At lunchtime and as the second shift came on at both law enforcement agencies, pizza was delivered by Joshua Moody.

Moody explained why he wanted to make this contribution, "I love these guys, they're the ones that are taking care of us, so they deserve everything. I was in the Marine Corps for seven years you know, I want to make sure that our law enforcement is treated with the respect that they need, because we're getting in that time in this world where people don't respect them anymore. They have to make really hard decisions sometimes, and it's not because of good people, it's because of the knuckleheads out there that are doing things."

Moody said everyone needs to show them some love for what they do.

Joshua Moody receives pizza from Rodney Norman of Little Caesars.

Mary Caroline of Little Caesars helps Joshua Moody carry out pizza.

August 4, 2016 - CASA of Deep East Texas will be hosting a School Supply Drive to collect supplies for Shelby and San Augustine County Foster Children.  Please drop off supplies in a box at the Center Office (131 Tenaha Str) or these other drop off locations: 

  • Brookshire Brothers - San Augustine and Center
  • Public Library - Center
  • Shelby Savings Bank - San Augustine Branch, Main Center Branch, North Center Branch
  • Dependable Arms - Center
  • San Augustine Drug Store

Special thanks to these local businesses for their support! The drive will end on the 15th of August. 

June 30, 2017 through July 2, 2017 for the C. H. Daniels High School Alumni Reunion at Windham Civic Center in Center, TX

August 3, 2016 - The Committee of the Daniels School Reunion (pictured) has set the date for the Reunion in Center. Please note date change from September to July. Mark your calendar, save your money, register early, and get ready for a fantastic weekend with the mighty mighty Bobcats and friends. Many new exciting activities are being planned. It is not just for the graduates but anyone who are descendants of the students from 1927 to 1968, (the last year of the high school).  More information will be mailed soon. 

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