Shelby County Today

June 13, 2022 - Brittany Hicks and Milagros Luna, both from Joaquin, Texas, were among students named to the Spring 2022 Dean's List at LeTourneau University. The Dean's List recognizes students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.99 for the semester.

Brittney Hicks is pursuing a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree and Milagros Luna has achieved a Bachelor of Business Management degree.

LeTourneau University President Dr. Steven D. Mason said being named to the Dean's List is a significant academic achievement and honor.

"As the comprehensive Christian polytechnic institution in the country, LeTourneau University attracts students who are among our nation’s best,” Mason said. “I'm especially impressed with these honor roll students, and I expect them to have a significant impact on our future."

LeTourneau University is the Christian polytechnic university where educators engage students to nurture Christian virtue, develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, integrate faith and work, and serve the local and global community. LETU offers more than 140 undergraduate and graduate degree programs online and at LETU’s residential campus in Longview, Texas, located 120 miles east of Dallas, Texas, and 60 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Claiming every workplace in every nation as their mission field, LeTourneau University graduates are professionals of ingenuity and Christ-like character who see life's work as a holy calling with eternal impact. For additional information, visit www.letu.edu.

June 9, 2022 - Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and community members gathered on June 2, 2022, at Perfectly Imperfect Nutrition in Center to help the business owners celebrate with a ribbon cutting.

Deborah Chadwick, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce President, vouched for the drinks and shakes at the location as she and her staff had already sampled some of the menu. She introduced owner Denise Hill and invited her to share some about the business.

Hill welcomed everyone and introduced her husband Brandon and staff members Jennifer and Lisa, who work at assembling the drinks.

"We do Loaded Teas, we've got between 1200 to 1800 flavors, we have shakes, 600 shakes," said Hill. "I just want to welcome y'all into my home basically, this is our home, this is our team."

One intriguing option offered are Lava Shakes which come in flavors such as Balava Split, Key Lime A Lava, Lavaberry Cupcake, Lavapop Blast, PB and J'Lava, Pina Colava, or a flavor of your preference.

Some of the featured Loaded Tea flavors on the day of the ribbon cutting included Boss Lady, Aquaman, Toes in the Sand, Hot Girl Summer, Ninja Turtle, and Tropical Paradise amongst many more.

There also are several candy flavored Loaded Tea options.

The menu also include Donut Shots (Prolessa), Beauty Booster (Collagens), and Tea Drops.

For an almost dessert indulgence, customers can try the protein shakes with a long list of flavor options. On the day of the ribbon cutting, some of those options included Blueberry Muffin, Strawberry Cheesecake, Banana Pudding, Overstuffed Oreo, S'More, Mint Chocolate and Pineapple Upside Down Cake to name a very few. The list of all available options can be found at the business

There are several kids options which don't have any caffiene in them.

Perfectly Imperfect Nutrition is open every day Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm and on Saturday 8am to 4pm and on Sunday from 9am to 3pm.

The store is located at 854 Hurst Street Suite 104 near the Little Caesar's Pizza.

There is delivery available on three or more drinks, as well as curbside service. Customers can call ahead, and their order can be prepared before they arrive. Credit cards and cash are accepted. Call 903-263-3504 to order ahead.

Click above image for a larger version

June 6, 2022 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary held a D-Day remembrance ceremony, on its 78th Anniversary, at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial beside the Historic 1885 Courthouse on June 6, 2022.

Kenneth Ramsey, Post Chaplain, gave the opening invocation and Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, led the program.

"D-Day was a turning point, June 6, 1944, in World War II and it saw the start of the largest air and sea operation in military history," said Hume. "On December 6 of 1943, President Roosevelt appointed General Dwight D. Eisenhower as commander of the cross channel operation."

Hume then played Eisenhower's preinvasion address for all to hear. After the audio finished, he described 156,000 troops were landed by the Allies, of which 73,000 were Americans.

"It's hard to conceive the epic scope of this battle that foreshadowed the end of Hitler's dream of Nazi domination," said Hume. "Overlord was the largest air, land and sea operation taken before or since June 6, 1944."

The landing included over 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and over 150,000 servicemen.

"After years of planning and seemingly endless training for the Allied forces, it all came down to this," said Hume. 

Hume wanted everyone to imagine they were in one of those LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank) going towards the shore, feel the vessel hit the bottom, the boat ramp going down. Then having to jump, swim, run, crawl through the cliffs. Many of those whoe were going to shore were not even 20 years old yet as they entered the surf carrying 80 pounds of equipment while facing over 200 yards of beach before reaching the first natural feature offering any protection to them.

"Blanketed by small arm fire and bracketed by artillary, they found themselves in hell," said Hume. "When it was over, the Allied forces had suffered nearly 10,000 casualties and more than 4,000 were dead; yet somhow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor and sacrifice of the Allied forces Europe had been breached."

There is no official tally of casualties for D-Day, but it's estimated at 10,000. U.S. Forces lost over 6,600 men.

Those present for the event read the following names aloud:

• Nolan Anderson, 507 Parachute Infantry, KIA June 12, 1944
• Richard D. Bray, 315 Infantry Regiment, Utah Beach, KIA July 11, 1944
• Maron L. Brittain, US Army, Normandy, Wounded
• Fred D. Dry, 1 Infantry Division, Omaha Beach BSM (Valor)
• Hulen M. Hardage, 117 Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach, June 11, 1944, KIA August 22, 1944
• John R. Jackson, 90 Infantry Division, Utah Beach June 6, Wounded in action June 10
• James R. Kirkland, 401 Glider Infantry, Jumped D-Day, KIA September 30, 1944
• Charles L. Mims, 1st Army, D-Day, Normandy
• Marlin D. Manshack, 117 Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach June 11, 1944 BSM, PH
• John W. Minter, 9 Infantry Regiment, Utah Beach, KIA July 9, 1944
• Arlen R. Rhame, 67 Armor Regiment, Omaha Beach, June 11, 1944, KIA July 28, 1944
• Pershing Pate, 38 Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach, KIA June 8, 1944
• Jack T. Powell, 358 Infantry Regiment, D-Day, Utah Beach, KIA July 6, 1944
• Sidney E. Watson, 117 Infantry Regiment, Omaha Beach, June 11, 1944, KIA August 22, 1944
• E.C. White, 507 Parachute Infantry, Jumped D-Day, Wounded, Died in accident July 4, 1944

Gerald Spradlin, District 19 President-Elect from the Lufkin Post, then laid a memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.

Taps was then played, as presented by Gene Hutto, Post Commander.

During the program, Hume shared with everyone the passing of Post Life Member Webb Bates who passed away in Nacogdoches June 5. He was 74 and an Army Vietnam Veteran having served from December 1967 to December 1969.

June 1, 2022 - All Hours Fitness welcomed the community inside their doors to view their 6,000 square foot expansion to a 12,000 square foot facility at an Expansion Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, May 24th. Owners, Walker Alford and Randy Seegers, and managers from many of their locations in Louisiana and Texas were in attendance along with Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

Chamber of Commerce representative Stephanie Elswick started the event, “Thank y’all for coming to welcome the expansion for All Hours Fitness. It’s marvelous, don’t you think.” She then invited owner Walker Alford to tell everyone about the gym.

Alford gave appreciation for their Center location, “We’ve been in Center, Texas since 2006, we started [on San Augustine Street] on the other side of the square. We really like the square, we really like the square after y’all redid it. It’s really, really improved and it’s super, super nice. That we went from an area that we thought maybe we should look for a different location to we felt like we were in the right location. So, we had this big building, if you remember Factory Connection [next door], this was a small gym [here], so, we ended up gutting the whole thing… massive, massive project. There is no resemblance of the old gym in the new gym. This is a totally different building. But we believe in Center, Texas, we believe in East Texas. Love Texas.” Walker continuing speaking about the quality of the gym and how important it is to him and Randy Seegers to over deliver to small towns and under charge because small towns have the best people. The 12,000 square feet facility offers an exceptional workout environment. He ended by saying, “Everybody needs health and fitness and we do our best to provide it to you. So, Randy and I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve seen over here. We just want to continue to grow this area. We are happy to be in Center, Texas.”

All Hours Fitness managers from various locations in Texas and Louisiana attended the ribbon cutting.

Carol Eberenz is the manager and gave a tour of the new facility following the ribbon cutting. Be sure to watch the view for more information.

The facility opened in Center in May 2006 with 2,500 square feet of workout space. The first All Hours Fitness location was 113 San Augustine Street. Five years later in June of 2011 the gym was moved to its current location with 6,000 square feet of workout space. Today, All Hours Fitness has grown to 12,000 square feet of space and is equipped with the latest fitness machines and a new virtual exercise room. Members can choose from an extensive library of digital classes and workout with the instructors on a large screen. Classes include yoga, pilates, cycling, high or low impact and much more.