PG. Movie ends 9:35pm

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

936-598-3864

Around Town

Click any story headline to open the article and share it using social media: Facebook, Twitter.

Baylor University Celebrates 2020-2021 Graduates

June 28, 2021 - Chloe Noel Ayanah Gipson, of Center, received a B.A. in Anthropology, Cum Laude, from the College of Arts & Sciences of Baylor University with the class of May 2020.

Baylor University celebrated more than 7,500 graduates of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 during six in-person commencement ceremonies May 6-8 at McLane Stadium on the banks of the Brazos River.

President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., presided over the outdoor ceremonies that honored nearly 2,800 spring 2021 Baylor graduates, as well as more than 4,700 May, August and December 2020 graduates, whose ceremonies were canceled or held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The commencement ceremonies also were the first held outdoors at Baylor since May 27, 1955, when graduation was held in what was then called Baylor Stadium (later renamed Floyd Casey Stadium).

"Amidst all the change in our students' lives, one thing hasn't changed. They are all Baylor Bears. They are united by that shared experience, and they have something to celebrate together," Livingstone said. "It's a unique time of life, and one worth celebrating our graduates' hard work and accomplishments to the fullest-even if that celebration was delayed for a year."

Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., and the deans of Baylor's 12 colleges and schools presented degree candidates for the recommendation of undergraduate degrees. More than 60 faculty members served as marshals and ushers during commencement.

As a national Christian research university, Baylor's mission is to educate students for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. Baylor provides numerous academic and research opportunities across various disciplines through 126 baccalaureate programs in fields as varied as business, engineering, nursing, pre-medicine, music and computer science, along with 79 master's programs, 47 doctoral programs (including the J.D.), the Education Specialist program and Master of Laws program.

Baylor's Illuminate strategic plan - building on the University's historic strengths and strategically investing in new areas of research and service - has Baylor on the path to R1 recognition as America's preeminent Christian research university while addressing the world's most meaningful challenges.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1, Baylor students interact with outstanding full-time faculty from their first days on campus through graduation. The University's vibrant campus life also includes more than 300 clubs and organizations and varsity athletics competing in the Big 12 Conference. For more information about Baylor University, visit www.baylor.edu.

About Baylor University 
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

June 28, 2021 - Four local residents were named to the Sam Houston State University Spring 2021 Dean's List. They are Katelyn Bolton, Daniel Chavez, Raylee Wilburn all of Center and Ashley Jernigan of Shelbyville.

The students listed on the Dean's List of Academic Honors at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, are undergraduates who have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 out of a perfect 4.0 in all work attempted while enrolled in not less than 12 semester hours. The university would like to recognize these students for earning the honor for the Spring 2021 semester.

June 28, 2021 - Two Center residents were named to the Sam Houston State University Spring 2021 President's List. They are Katelyn Bolton and Daniel Chavez.

The students listed on the President's Honor Roll at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, are undergraduates who have achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average in all work attempted while enrolled in not less than 12 semester hours. The university would like to recognize these students for earning the honor for the Spring 2021 semester.

June 25, 2021 (Photo Album) - Center of the Universe Raceways 2nd Annual Quarterly event was held Saturday, June 19, 2021, on the Center square.

The races benefit non-profit First Responder Scholarships mirroring community ethnicities and honor "small town" Center, Texas First Responder Trail Blazers, Chief Keith Byndom and retired Center PD officer Johnny Sanders.

Several races were held during the event and the first and second place winners are as follows:

Race 1:
1st place - Aiden Robinson
2nd place - Jimmy Horn

Race 2: 
1st place - Ranee Horn
2nd place - Caitlyn Madden

Race 3:
1st place - Robbie Horn 
2nd place - Emma Madden

Remote Control Race:
Joshua Ingram.

Each participant was given a trophy with placement flags, and signed thank you cards thanking donors, volunteers which have supported the Center of the Universe Raceways event.

A prize table was available and a drawing was held to choose the winner who then had the opportunity to select items off the prize table.

June 23, 2021 - SAKS Of Love gave scholarships to a graduating senior in each county that they serve: Shelby, Panola, Nacogdoches, and Angelina. We are so honored to sow this token of love into their future.


From left: Kamari Gary and Crystal Gray

Kamari Gary from Shelby County received the 'Inspired By You Scholarship' in the amount of $500. She is the daughter Ken and Crystal Gray and her goals are to become a Occupational Therapist after college. Kamari Gary received not only the Inspired By You Scholarship, she also received the: Bone Hill Scholarship, Tenaha Businessmen, Janie Glenn “Love and Encouragement “ Scholarship, Toledo Retired Teacher, and the Justin R. Adams scholarship.


From left: Christian Leary and Marlon Lizama

Marlon Lizama from Nacogdoches County received the 'Inspired By You Scholarship' in the amount of $450. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School and plans to study to be a paramedic. He is the son of Karla Lizama. Marlon is an excellent soccer player and spends his time welding and creating beautiful objects.


From left: Christina Leary and Alexis Fowler

Alexis Fowler received the 'Inspired By You Scholarship' in the amount of $400 as our Angelina County recipient. Alexis graduated from Lufkin High School this year as an Honor Student. She ranked 64th out of 463 kids. She is the daughter of Demarcus and Denise Fowler. She is also a member of the Top Teens of America. She was accepted to Sam Houston University and will study Computer Engineering.


From left: Christina Leary and Katelyn Graves

Katelyn Graves received the 'Inspired By You Scholarship' in the amount of $350 as our Panola County recipient. Katelyn graduated from Carthage High School this year as a CNA. She earned college credits toward her RN requirements. She is the daughter of Marvin and Linda Graves. She was accepted to the University of Tyler and will study Anesthesiology.

Thank you to our May Sponsors: Lorenzo and Christina Leary, Lakeisha Kim, Stephanie Moore, Felicia Cloudy, Denesha Arthur, Kelly Pitts, Vicky Amy, LaShalla McCollister, and Frejai Dimery-Tate.

Christian Leary, founder of the organizaiton, appreciates all the support given to SAKS Of Love and the youth of our community. For more information, visit on Facebook or at SAKSofLove.org.

The organization was initially founded for senior citizens not having family support to provide their necessities. Today it has grown to provide love through helping our community in our own unique way. Special thanks to Board Chairperson LaShalla Johnson McCollister, Board Vice-Chairperson Frejai Dimery-Tate, and Board Secretary Ariel Higginbotham.

June 22, 2021 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held their regular monthly meeting this past Saturday, June 20th. There was a photography workshop on “Long Exposure” photography. Those in attendance learned more about photographing fireworks, light painting, astrophotography and day time long exposures. 

The next meeting will be the 3rd Saturday of July, there will be more workshops and challenges. Our goal as a club is to help you become a better photographer and give you a place to meet others who share your passion for photography. Featuring programs and activities with information and instruction for all skill levels in an environment of support and cooperation. Visitors are welcome to attend our meetings with or without a member.

Congratulations to all club members who participated in the June Challenge “Still Life”. Imaginations really ruled on this month's Still Life Challenge. There were so many great challenge photos, selecting 3 favorites obviously was not easy with a 3 way tie for First, and a 2 way tie for Second. Everyone really did an exceptional job this month.

June Challenge “Still Life”

1st place ties are Debra Cockrell with her Pencils, Melvin Henson with his Duck Steins and Jan Huffman Carter with her Forget-me-Not.

2nd place ties are Bobbie Jean Wood with her Lost Coin and Angie Junell Davis with her Spilt Wine still life and,

3rd place is Billie Haggard Jones with her 1950's.

So proud of everyone for all the effort put fort in this Still Life Challenge. 

To view all the challenge photos https://www.flickr.com/groups/pineywoodsphotographic/ or for more information about club meetings or memberships contact Billie F. Jones, 936-591-2426 or check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PineyWoodsPhoto

June 21, 2021 - The Unique Boutique received a donation of a vintage electric train set. It was made by Louis Marx and Company but has some Lionel parts as well. One box is filled with the tracks and the other has all the cars inside. 6 train cars, 2 engines, tracks, and a transformer is included. The train worked for many years, the owner tried to replace parts, but it does not currently work. 

We are looking for anyone interested in purchasing this great vintage train set. All proceeds will go to help feed the hungry and assist the needy in Shelby County. We are asking $150 for everything included in the picture. For more information, please call Josh at 598-4990 or you can call The Unique Boutique at 591-8190.

Update: Roughrider Car Wash has been postposted!  Will be rescheduled... watch for future date!

June 15, 2021 - The Roughrider Scholarship Foundation (RSF) is hosting a car wash fundraiser on Friday, June 18 from 3pm until 6:30pm at the Azalea House on Tenaha Street at the corner of Tenaha Street and Carroll Street, next to Dairy Queen.

RSF handed out $1,000 scholarships to 116 graduates from the Center High School Class of 2021 and the foundation gave out 8 scholarships to the Roughrider Academy Spring Class of 2021 for a grand total of $124,000 given this year alone.

Formed in 1988, the RSF was created to assist graduates of Center High School to continue their education in college or trade school of their choice. Their efforts are to provide a scholarship to EVERY CHS graduating senior who applies.

Mark your calendar and make plans to support this wonderful non-profit group which is focused on our future.

June 15, 2021 - Mike and Nita Adkison, owners of the RIO Theatre in Center are thrilled to announce the theatre will re-open on Friday, June 18, 2021 with 'The Girl Who Believes in Miracles' which is a faith based movie and rated PG.

After a year of COVID-19 shutting everything down and construction, Mike and Nita can't wait to welcome the community back to the RIO.

Opening soon at the RIO Theatre is 'F9 The Fast Saga' starting June 25th.

Box office opens at 7:00pm. Showtime at 7:30pm. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children.

June 16, 2021 - Flags to Fight Hunger will stay up through July 4th as we prepare to celebrate our nation's birthday!

Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who support the flag program that celebrates many of our national holidays while raising funds for the Center ISD Backpack Program!

Pages