Around Town
February 18, 2015 - Source: The Episcopal Diocese of Texas - Jean Diebolt received the Bishop’s Award for Ministry at the recent Diocesan Council in The Woodlands. Bishop C. Andrew Doyle praised her dedication and continuing efforts to improve access to health care for her East Texas community. “Jean’s ability to bring people together for the benefit of her patients has set an example for all of us,” he said. “She and her team do exemplary ministry and we are grateful for the transformation of lives that all their efforts have brought about.”
To read the full article, click the following link (http://www.epicenter.org/article/hope-continues-to-grow-in-east-texas/)
February 18, 2015 - Valentines, flower show, and anniversary plans were subjects of conversation at the Center Garden Club meeting held Wednesday, February 11th at the John D. Windham Civic Center.
Garden Club President Colleen Doggett welcomed everyone and introduced the club's newest members who are Cindy Brown and Anna Stuever. Doggett also announced the club moved their 60th anniversary celebration to May which will coincide with announcement of new officers.
The club then discussed upcoming plans for the 2015 Flower Show to be held in April. Carolyn Bounds addressed the club and announced this year's flower show theme to be 'Nature's Gallery.' Bounds expressed excitement about the artistic style theme.
Following the business meeting, members came together and decorated valentine's cards which were later distributed to local area nursing homes. Door prize winners of flower pots with various lilies, dandelions, and irises made by Judy Matthews were Shirley Owens and Linda Bordelon.
February 18, 2015 - Amy Permenter, a senior at Shelbyville High School, was crowned Saturday, February 14th as the new Miss Lufkin. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Wesley and Lynette Permenter of Huxley, Texas.
Permenter won the divisional crown in her age group in the Lufkin pageant and due to having the highest scores over all the participants in the pageant, she won grand supreme queen as well.
Winning the crown is nothing new for this high school senior as she is also the current Miss Shelby County, Miss Watermelon Festival, and Miss Texas State Forestry Festival queen. Permenter has been traveling the country preparing for one particular pageant to be held in September, the Miss Texas Pageant.
Permenter applied to be an contestant in the Miss Texas Pageant and was notified her application was accepted. Permenter said, "It is a challenge competing at that level and I'm excited for the opportunity." She has been preparing for the Miss Texas Pageant through practice and studying current events.
All the local pageants have been great opportunities for practice. She also recently spent a week in New York City as part of a International Models and Talent Association (IMTA) training convention which was done in front of modeling agencies from all over the world. She has participated in a fashion show in Dothan, Alabama which included modeling wedding dresses and has trained with Victoria Henley who was in the 19th cycle of America's Next Top Model. She has also modeled for Alicia Zenobia, a clothing designer from New Orleans.
Lynette Permenter, the mother of Amy Permenter, said, "Amy has done pageants since the 5th grade. She is a very determined young lady and greatly appreciates all the support from family, friends, and community she has had along the way."
February 17, 2015 - The Shelby County 4-H Food Project students have been quite busy over the past several months. In November, the Food Project began with educational workshops on Kitchen Safety, Food Safety, Nutrition Basics and Public Speaking. During these workshops, participants practiced the knowledge gained while perfecting their food prep and cooking skills.
The Shelby County 4-H Food Project group had participants in the Food Challenge and the Food Show competitions at the District level which was held Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. Those placing and participating at the district show were as follows:
Food Show: Emilee Elliott – 1st place for Food Show - Junior Division, Protein Category. Jennifer Buffington – 8th place, Senior Division, Protein Category.
Nutrition Posters: Emilee Elliott – 2nd place – Junior Division.
Food Challenge Mixed Division placed 3rd. Team members included Clarissa Menefee, Hannah Menefee, and Marrissa Riley.
Project Leaders Shannon Menefee and Kim Oswalt have really worked hard to provide leadership and relevant educational workshops for our 4-H Foods Project. A special thanks Mrs. Menefee and Mrs. Oswalt for going above and beyond to make this experience for the kids fun and enjoyable and also for taking their time to make our community a better place for our youth.
February 17, 2015 - Gospel quartet members Harold & Naomi Hanson and Joyce & Bill Funderburk presented a musical program to the Golden Harvest Ministries Club at their February meeting at the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church in Center. Mary Ivey, Louise Hayden, David Bain, and Bobbie Nutt won the heart candy door prizes.
Submitted by Linda Bordelon
February 16, 2015 - The Little Fox Marketplace and Just Stuff are pleased to announce the winners of our Valentine's Day Guessing Contest. For several weeks, shoppers guessed the number of balloons in the front display window.
The closest guess was only 14 balloons away from the actual number. Addison Brown won a giant gift basket from Just Stuff (KB Axen). Kristi Holt won a candy bouquet for her second place guess, 24 away from the actual number. Our third place prize was a Wiggle Worm donated by db Metal Art. This cute creature is going home with Becky Grant for her prize winning guess -- only 36 from the actual number.
Just Stuff (KB Axen) and db Metal Art are two of the fantastic vendors at The Little Fox Marketplace on the Center Square. "Like" us on Facebook to get updates on an exciting new art contest coming soon!
February 13, 2015 - Tom Johnson, weatherman from the radio station program San Augustine Speaks, informed Delta Gamma members on recent updates on finding current weather conditions and how the weather gets reported at their Feb. 9 meeting in Joaquin, Texas. Delta Gamma Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is composed of key women educators in Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby Counties.
Left to right, Deborah Evans, Tom Johnson, and Melba Pahal, Delta Gamma Program Chairman
Submitted by Linda Bordelon
February 13, 2015 - Holiday Nursing Center hosted a reception on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 for their 2014 Champion of Caring employees. The Champion of Caring Program acknowledges outstanding employees on a monthly basis. Congratulations Holiday Nursing Center Champion of Caring Employees for 2014.
Lori Alvis was Champion of Caring for the year 2014. Monthly Champions of Caring for last year were January – Mary Christian, February – Pat Bush, March – Connie Hall, April – Delia Gallegos-Solis, May – Tammy Lee, June – Patricia Lawhorn, July – Leticia Randle, August - Catherine Polley, September – Felecia Hill, October – Nathan Wyatt, November – Pam Hendricks, and December – Lori Alvis.
Photo: (Seated) Lori Alvis, Champion of Caring for 2014 (Back Row, left to right) Nathan Wyatt, Connie Hall, Delia Solis-Gallegos, Patricia Lawhorn, Tammy Lee, Leticia Randle, Pam Hendricks, Catherine Polley, and Patricia Bush. Not pictured Mary Christian and Felicia Hill.
February 12, 2015 - Seven Sisters Red Hat Queen Trudie Willis is shown with Lora Wilson, daughter of beloved member, Viola Drennan who passed away recently. Ms. Wilson donated many of her mother's Red Hat items to the group. The group collected and distributed Valentines to area nursing homes on Tuesday, February 10 for their project this month.
February 12, 2015 - The City of Joaquin was presented a certificate of recognition on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 for their extraordinary efforts in the completion of the Disaster Recovery Program Round I. The Disaster Recovery Program was established during Hurricane Ike and during Round I it provided an emergency generator for the Joaquin Fire Department which was the command center meeting location for city officials and emergency responders during the disaster.
Presenting the certificate to Mayor Pro Tem Bill Baker who accepted on behalf of the city was Jerry Rahm, Program Services Specialist, and Kevin Sandberg, Infrastructure Project Manager, both with the Disaster Recovery Program. The program is administered by the Texas General Land Office.