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PG-13. Movie ends 9:20pm
Coming Soon:
Gabby's Dollhouse - Oct. 24
Closed Wednesdays, Thursdays
Box office opens at 7:00pm. Showtime at 7:30pm.
Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children.
Senior Citizen's Night
Mondays - $6 Admission
Around Town
Order Deadline Friday, September 22nd
September 18, 2023 (Fajita Luncheon Order Form) - The Chicken Fajita Lunch, sponsored by East Texas Poultry Supply, helps kick off the Poultry Festival activities. The Fajita lunch will be held on Wednesday, September 27th. Pre-sale only!
Lunch includes two chicken fajitas, chips, salsa and a drink for $8 per plate and delivery is available for 5 or more advance orders by calling 936-598-3682 or emailing info@shelbycountychamber.com by Friday, September 22, 2023. An order form for the Fajita Lunch, as well as other Poultry Festival Events, is available at the Chamber of Commerce offices on the historic downtown square or on the Poultry Festival Event page on the Chamber website, http://www.shelbycountychamber.com.
Don’t miss this delicious lunch!
For more information, please call the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 936-598-3682, email us at info@shelbycountychamber.com or visit our website www.shelbycountychamber.com and click on the Event page to find all Poultry Festival information.
September 19, 2023 - The Piney Woods PhotographicSociety held their regular monthly meeting this past Saturday at the First Methodist Church, Center, Texas. The September Challenge was Stained Glass where members were to photograph stained glass and could submit up to 3 photos for favorite votes and discussion.
The favorite votes are:
1st Place Favorite: "Mardi Gras" by Bobbie Jean Wood
2nd Place Favorite: Marvin Methodist Church by Billie Haggard Jones
3rd Place Favorite: What a Day! by Debra Cockrell
September 18, 2023 - The East Texas Poultry Festival Court has been busy with fun activities and rehearsals with more on the schedule. The Social was held on September 5th at the Johnstone Building. Endless Possibilities catered the dinner. The Princesses and the Escorts enjoyed a fun evening which included etiquette bingo and the annual Chicken Relay.
The Princesses met on September 13th for the Girls Giving Back event; they met at COR+Co. Studio. Stephanie Doggett with Stephanie Doggett Aesthetics gave the girls tips on healthy skin care routines. She brought mini facial supplies for the girls, as well as, lovely gift bags for the girls to take home.
The Princesses also put together gift baskets that went to the residents at Lakeside Village Assisted Living Facility. Thank you to Center High School Culinary Arts department for providing refreshments for the evening.
Thank you to the Pageant Sponsors: High Roller Wells, Platinum Sponsor; Dazzle Me Pink & Blue, deb’s boutique and JML Contractors – Gold Sponsors.
The Coronation will be held on September 30th at 7:00pm at Center High School.
The East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State Bank, will be held October 5th, 6th and 7th. Gold Sponsors are Badders Law Firm, City of Center, Pilgrims Pride and Tyson Foods.
Acceptance for entries will be Monday, September 18th – Friday, September 29th, 9am to 4pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office located at 266 Nacogdoches Street with label securely attached.
September 18, 2023 (Entry Forms Page) - The 47th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State Bank, is right around the corner – October 5, 6 and 7. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your creative side in art, quilting, canning, crafts, woodworking, metal art, photography, and baking (new last year).
This year’s theme for all creative arts and quilts is “From the Garden.” All creative art divisions are open to Youth (6th through 12th grades) and Adults (17 and older). The art division will also be open to Elementary (K – through 5th).
The Creative Arts Show, Sponsored by Ray Jones Chevrolet, the Quilt Show sponsored by Scull Timber and the Photography Show, sponsored by the Light and Champion will be held in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church. The Quilts of Valor will be displayed there as well.
Start taking photos, quilting quilts, canning your spring and summer harvest, and creating art for these events. We want to showcase and recognize ALL our local talent.
Please visit the Chamber website www.shelbycountychamber.com for a complete list of the rules for each event along with entry forms that need to accompanied with your entry. Or contact the Chamber at 936-598-3682 or email at info@shelbycountychamber.com.
September 16, 2023 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members assembled at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial September 15, 2023, in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, welcomed everyone to the program and VFW Post Sr. Vice Mike Wulf gave the opening prayer.
Hume continued by also remembering the families of those lost who hope that one day their loved one will one day be accounted for.
"Shelby County, Texas has [had] 39 of her citizens held as prisoners of war, 35 from World War II and four from the Korean War," said Hume. "Three of these died in captivity, while the others lived through a terrible ordeal that we cannot even imagine, by the grace of God returned home but they have all passed from this life."
"Currently known to us there are also 31 Shelby County veterans still missing in action from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, and their names are carried on the Department of Defense Rolls as such," said Hume.
A memorial wreath was placed on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Post Commander Richard Lundie. Commander Lundie, Post Sr. Vice Wulf, and VFW member Derrick Roberts then replaced the POW/MIA flag that flys on the square.
Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, VFW Past Post Commander.
Prisoners of War:
Harlan F. Adams, World War II - German POW
Haskell Beard, World War II - German POW
Harold F. Beasley, World War II - Japanese POW
Sharkey Brown, Jr., World War II - Japanese POW
Thermon D. Brittain, Sr., World War II – Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Frank M. Butler, World War II - German POW
Oran J. Childs, World War II - Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Basil A. Coats, World War II - German POW
Sam Davis, Jr., World War II - German POW
Dr. Roy L. Emken, World War II - Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Ray Emmons, World War II - German POW
Newell Evans, World War II - German POW
Clifford Gary, World War II - German POW
Hilton Hooper, World War II - German POW
Calvin R. Hutto, World War II - Japanese POW
Audrey C. Jacobs, World War II - German POW
Jesse F. Kennedy, World War II - German POW
Johnnie M. Lee, World War II, Japanese POW - Died in Prison Camp
Dravis Massie, World War II - Japanese POW
Austin W. Mayes, World War II - German POW
Phillip E. Murphree, World War II - German POW
James H. Myers, World War II - Japanese POW
R.B. Neal, World War II - German POW
Truman B. Owens, World War II - German POW
Sherman S. Pickard, World War II - German POW
George O. Rivers, World War II - Bataan Death March, Died in Japanese Prison Camp
Charles D. Rogers, World War II - Japanese POW
George B. Stutts, Jr., World War II - German POW
Vernon B. Walters, World War II - Bataan Death March, Died in Japanese Prison Camp
Henry L. Wilburn, World War II - German POW
Hulon Williams, World War II - German POW
R.L. Williams, World War II - German POW
Levi A. Williford, World War II - German POW;
Marshall (Tex) Windham, World War II - German POW
John E. Woodfin, Sr., World War II - Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Hubert L. Langford, Korean War - North Korean POW
Paul D. Lucas, Korean War, North Korean POW
Leonard Scott, Korean War - North Korean POW
Billy Lee Wescoat, Korean War - Chinese POW
Missing in Action:
John W. Temple, WWI - Missing July 19, 1918, France
John C.B. Alford, World War II - Missing May 7, 1942, Pacific Theater
Lloyd L. Andrews, World War II - Missing December 25, 1944, European Theater
Cecil A. Armstreet, World War II - August 31, 1942, Atlantic Ocean
Lee O. Brunson, World War II - Missing December 8, 1944, European Theater
John B. Byrn, World War II - Missing August 24, 1943, European Theater
Philip H. Childs, World War II - Missing July 29, 1942, Pacific Theater
James A. Cleveland, World War II - Missing September 7, 1944, Pacific Theater
Lewis V. Dockens, World War II - Missing June 2, 1942, European Theater
Reed Dominy, World War II - Missing April 15, 1944, European Theater
Roy V. Duncan, World War II - Missing April 16, 1945, Pacific Theater
Hubert Haley, World War II - Missing May 14, 1942, European Theater
Pershing H. Harvey, World War II - Missing October 24, 1944
Walter B. Henry, World War II - Missing August 7, 1943, European Theater
Curtis Jolley, World War II - Missing October 24, 1944, Pacific Theater
Willie E. Lathon, World War II - Missing December 12, 1943, Pacific Theater;
James A. McDaniel, World War II - Missing April 20, 1944, Pacific Theater
Woodrow W. Moro, World War II - Missing May 5, 1942, Gulf of Mexico
Kenneth N. Nicholson, World War II - Missing October 27, 1942
Darwin Risinger, World War II - Missing September 5, 1945, Pacific Theater
John C. Scott, World War II - Missing June 19, 1944, Pacific Theater
Choron Smotherman, World War II - Missing November 27, 1943, European Theater
Johnny F. Stack, World War II - Missing November 30, 1942, Pacific Theater
Richard M. Wallace, World War II - Missing July 26, 1942, European Theater
Robert H. Wharton, World War II - Missing November 20, 1943, Pacific Theater
Marion B. Whiteside, Jr., World War II - Missing October 19, 1942
Claude M. Wilkerson, World War II - Missing May 8, 1942, Pacific Theater
Elgie P. Williams, World War II - Missing December 6, 1943, Pacific Theater
Elmer E. Williams, World War II - Missing November 8, 1942, Pacific Theater
Ray D. Williams, World War II - Missing July 11, 1944, European Theater
Willie E. Windham, Korean War - Missing August 12, 1950, Korea.
JCC members signing up to volunteer to help at Poultry Festival events.
September 15, 2023 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Fall Leadership Conference and Orientation for Junior Chamber of Commerce students on Tuesday, September 12th at the Civic Center. Approximately 150 JCC students were able to attend the Conference. Thank you to Mrs. Alease Copelin and Ms. Kaylin Burleson, JCC Committee Chairs, who organized the Conference.
Last year, JCC students identified problems in their schools and developed programs to address the issues. Each campus presented their project to the group, following Orientation. Projects included care closets, reading programs, working with the younger classes in the district and school dances with money raised going to a local foundation. The students then spent time with their respective campus groups to plan for this coming year.
The students joined Center Rotary Club for lunch. Rotary President, Steve Waters, welcomed the students and their Sponsors. He talked about Rotary and shared good leadership advice.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Program.
- Presenting Sponsor: JML Management
- Gold Sponsor: Deb’s Boutique and J. Lout, Inc.
- Silver Sponsors: LaGrone Air Conditioning, Payne & Payne Home N’Suchlike, and Viatrac Fertilizer
- Friends of the Junior Chamber of Commerce: Automotive Collision Repair Specialist, Center Glass, Mathews Real Estate, Panola College, Mr. and Mrs. Rayford Copelin, and Shelby County Today.
Thank you to the Campus Sponsors: Rene Bridges with Center Christian Academy; Jennifer Fausett with Center High School; Jay Hill with Center Middle School; Keli Chandler with Excelsior ISD; Dominique Roland with Shelbyville High School; Mia Cloudy with Tenaha ISD; Kelly Bruister and Lynn Kaluza with Timpson Middle School and Charlotte Metcalf with Timpson High School.
The Shelby County Junior Chamber of Commerce and Young Ambassadors program was established in 1996 with around 85 students. Today, there are over 200 students from public and private schools in Shelby County from grades 8-12 that meet the academic, volunteer and character criteria.
The purpose of the JCC program is to develop leadership skills as well as assist the Ambassadors in various projects and opportunities of hospitality and service.
September 15, 2023 - The City of Tenaha and Tenaha Business Men's Club welcomed Grant and Heather McDonald, the owners of Down Home Storage with a ribbon cutting held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 12:30pm. They have three locations in Tenaha: 8045 US Hwy 96, 336 South Center Street, and (Climate Facility) Hwy 96 North.
September 12, 2023 - A Patriot Day program held at the Historic Shelby County Courthouse was well attended by emergency responders and members of the community on September 11, 2023.
VFW Post 8904 hosted the event and Mike Wulf, Post Sr. Vice, led the program. He started off by asking for moments of silence for Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Pierson and Sheriff Kevin Windham. Josh Crawford, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, then gave an invocation.
David Mathis then performed the National Anthem on the piano, and Leigh Porterfield also accompanied him by singing. This was followed by everyone reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
"On September 11 2001, exactly 22 years ago, America witnessed evil beyond belief. It was difficult for us to grasp the scope of the tragedies that day. It was one of the single most tragic days in our nation’s history," said Wulf. "Two decades have passed since that [fateful] day, and for most the memories of what happened that day are still vivid and painful as they were 22 years ago, and while time cannot ever remove the pain we can find some solace in remembering how our nation was united in the subsequent days and months following the attack.”
Wulf continued, "That day, we refused to allow evilness to triumph over good. The accounts of hope and heroism that emerged from the rubble of ground zero, the Pentagon and the rural Pennsylvania field inspired us all to this day. Those remarkable acts of valor continue to serve as reminders of all that is good and true in the human spirit. In our grief, our nation and its citizens stood tall, and defiantly proud as police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, airplane passengers and crew members gave their lives to save their fellow man. The heroism will never be forgotten by a grateful America, nor by the VFW members who by their own experiences recognize heroism, and the high cost that comes with it."
Wulf reminded everyone of three of Shelby County's own who died overseas protecting our freedoms and they are Larry E. Polley Jr., United States Army, killed in action in Iraq January 17, 2004; Kevin Casey Roberts, United States Army, killed in action in Afghanistan May 7, 2008; and Cory Bertrand, who was 18 years old and in the United States Army when he was killed in action in Afghanistan October 14, 2008.
Leigh Porterfield shared a letter by Senator John Cornyn (see video above).
Flags were mandated by presidential proclamation to be lowered to half-staff at sunrise and remain that way until sundown, September 11, 2023.
Introduced by Wulf, and speaking on behalf of first responders in Shelby County were Keith Byndom, Center Fire Chief; Sgt. Det. Andrew Williams, Center Police Department; Lt. Chad Hooper, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and Jessie Griffith, Allegiance Mobile Health. Each shared their thoughts on the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
Wulf thanked all of the first responders for what they do every day in dealing with circumstances not of their own making.
Wulf commended the NextGen group and the Junior Chamber of Commerce members who placed flags on the square in honor of September 11.
Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison placed the memorial wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial, after which Wulf invited everyone to participate in a moment of silence.
Following a moment of silence and remembrance of September 11, 2001, David Mathis and Leigh Porterfield performed God Bless America. Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past-Post Commander.
September 8, 2023 - Los Jarritos held a ribbon cutting event Thursday, September 7, 2023, which was hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
Deborah Chadwick, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce President, introduced Angela Cruz-Hernandez who has had the restaurant, which offers Mexican style cuisine, for over month.
Cruz-Hernandez stated the business is an opportunity, which she has decided to take and she described some of the great offerings the staff provides for customers.
“Everything is authentic you know, literally they make everything from scratch,” said Cruz-Hernandez.
She shared that all of the food is great, not only because they are her staff, and she thanked her employees who are behind the business.
“We do sell Aguas Frescas which is naturally made water-fruit,” said Cruz-Hernandez.
Street tacos are also a very popular item on the menu.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays, but open from 9am until 8pm Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday hours are from 10am until 6pm. Breakfast is served until 11am.
Los Jarritos is located at 181 US Highway 96 North in Center and they can be reached by calling 936-427-2244.
September 8, 2023 - Shelby County Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCC) members and NextGen group members placed 3,000 flags on the Shelby County Historic Courthouse lawn Thursday, September 7, 2023.
The group gathered beside the Shelby County Veterans Memorial and Sam Beasley, representing the NextGen Group, explained to the JCC members how placing the flags is a memorial to those whose lives were lost and all who were affected by the events of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Beasley remarked on the certainty that all of the JCC members would not have even yet been born when the attacks occurred and he himself was in the 5th grade at school. He expressed how complexly traumatic the experience was for everyone at that time.
Leigh Porterfield, Shelby County Republican Party Chair, expressed how much of an honor it is for the Shelby County Republican Party to sponsor the NextGen Chamber event. She commended the JCC members for their presence and participation in placing the flags.
She commented that September 11, 2001 was a time when the world witnessed the worst humanity has to offer and the best as people came together afterward to help one another and demonstrate great unity.
The JCC and NextGen then got to work placing the 3,000 flags which are present on the courthouse lawn for all to see, and which will be there during the Patriot Day program hosted by the VFW Post 8904 on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 9am in front of the historic courthouse.
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