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September 30, 2023 - The Class of 1988 is meeting at the Farmers State Motor Bank to decorate the float at 2pm for the parade today, September 30. Parade begins at 4. Bring candy and a big smile!

From 7:00 pm until 11:30pm, the class is hosting a social at the Center Country Club located at 3839 HWY 96N in Center.

Cost is $10 per person at the door plus anyone purchasing alcohol at the bar will be required to pay a TABC $5 charge.

For entertainment, we will reminisce about our high school days, have DJ Kenneth “Snoopy T” and Photo 360° Booth!

Contact Jason Buddin at +1 (512) 970-5698, Leigh Johnson Clopton at +1 (214) 435-6677 or Meredith Motley Morris at +1 (936) 414-2835


First Place - Golden Eye Clinic's Golden Farm Float

September 28, 2023 (Parade Photos) - The 47th East Texas Poultry Festival Doo Dah Parade, Sponsored by Center Tire Company, was held yesterday Wednesday, September 27th, on the Historic Downtown Center Square. Center Tire Company led the Parade followed by the Shelby Chick and the Junior Chamber of Commerce students.


First Place - Golden Eye Clinic's Golden Farm Float

Doo Dah Parade trophy winners include: First Place, Golden Eye Clinic; Second Place, the Crazy Chicken Ladies; Third Place, Chicken Dumplin Darlings.

The Queen’s Court float winners will be announced at the Coronation, this Saturday, September 30th at Center High School Cafetorium at 7pm. Tickets at the door are $5.00.

Gold Sponsors for the Doo Dah Parade are Ilho Sales and Imports and Professional Title Services. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Parade this year!

Farmers State Bank is this year’s East Texas Poultry Festival Presenting Sponsor. The traditional Cutting of the Feathers and Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Focused Care of Center, will be held Thursday, October 5th, at 10:00 a.m. on the downtown square. See you there!


Second Place - the Crazy Chicken Ladies



Third Place - Chicken Dumplin Darlings

Related article: Poultry Festival Fajita Luncheon, Doo Dah Parade Wrap Up

September 27, 2023 (Parade Photos) - The 47th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival wrapped up ‘Super Wednesday’ activities, the Fajita Luncheon and Doo Dah Parade, on September 27. The morning started with the Chicken Fajita Luncheon which had a record setting year!

This year’s Fajita Luncheon, sponsored by East Texas Poultry Supply, had the largest number of pre-orders… 850 plates! The fajita lunches were prepared by an experienced brood of volunteers. The ambassadors are a brood and not a flock because a brood refers to a ‘family unit of chickens’ and it takes a family of ambassadors with the help of the Shelby County Cookers to prepare and plate 850 plates of chicken fajitas! Also, with two fajitas per plate, that’s over 1,700 fajitas!

Not only was it a record number of orders but the plates were completed and delivered or picked up by 11:30am! Congratulations Chicken Fajita Luncheon volunteers - you prepared an average of 28 plates every 5 minutes! Way to go!!!

‘Super Wednesday’ ended with the family friendly and fun for all Doo Dah Parade! Parade participants puffed up their feathers and strutted around the downtown square sharing candy and smiles with spectators.

The parade was lead by the Center Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department followed by Center Tire Company, the parade sponsor. Next in line was ‘Shelby Chick’ and the Chamber Junior Chamber of Commerce members and Young Ambassadors.

Parade winners will be announced soon by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. For now, enjoy the video and photos to see your favorite!

September 18, 2023 - Holiday Nursing and Rehabilitation is hosting an End of Summer Party on Monday, September 25 at 2pm. Sponsor a flamingo to flock Holiday’s yard! $25 per flamingo or $100 for a flock of 5 flamingos! Proceeds will go to Boobies and Bingo which is a Breast Cancer Awareness Gala.

To purchase flamingos for Breast Cancer Awareness, please contact Jinjer Young at (915)929-5905 or Jessica Bush or Karen Campbell at (936) 598-3371. Checks payable to Holiday.

September 22, 2023 - The intersection of US 59 and Texas 87 is the busiest place in Timpson, in no small part because that is where the Quick Stop is! With a convenience store, gasoline, car wash, truck stop, laundromat, and Whataburger on premises, there are a lot of reasons to visit! “I grew up on dairy farm outside of Logansport, Louisiana”, began Quick Stop owner Robin Gibson Connell in her talk before the monthly meeting of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society last Wednesday. “But in the 70s my father sold our farm to a strip mining company. Timpson didn't have a modern convenience store at the time so he decided to build one and let my sister and me run it”.

“We came to Timpson and opened our store in 1979,” Connell continued. At first we had mostly gas and groceries, but we soon realized that people wanted something to eat, so we began offering barbecue and home-made pies. That went over pretty well. In fact, one local lady would bring her own pie plate to us to make a pie in. She explained that if she took a pie in a disposable tin plate to a church or social function people would know that she had bought it from us. So we did it for her. One day she came into the store and said she noticed that I had put a Texas flag up outside. She said 'Hon, I know you are not from Texas so I need to tell you that your flag is upside down! Always remember that the bandage goes over the blood'! Later we spent $4000 on commercial frying equipment and started offering fried chicken. That was a big hit”!

“In those days, we had a speaker with a microphone out at the gas pumps so we could talk to the customers. The microphone was always on but most people didn't know it, so we sometimes heard some very interesting conversations!” Connell remembered. “One lady thought the pump itself could hear and understand her, so she would pull up, get out of her car, pat the top of the pump and say 'You need to turn on and give me five dollars worth of gasoline, please.” So we would turn on the pump and give her five dollars worth.

“Our father and mother were Edwin “Bink” and Barbara Gibson. We always thought that Daddy was sort of a hermit because he didn't go into Logansport but about once a month and stayed out at the farm the rest of the time. Once he sold the farm we realized that the reason he never went anywhere was that he had so much work to do at the farm,” Connell revealed. “Once we got to Timpson and there were people coming in and out of the store for him to talk to, he was in his element. He loved greeting customers and drinking coffee and philosophizing with the regulars. He loved Timpson and its citizens and always wanted to know what was going on in the city”.

“Timpson was very different in 1979 from today. It was pretty wild and there were a lot of people here who had absolutely no respect for the law. Daddy paid close attention to what was going on,” Connell shared. One night after we had closed, my mother was totaling up the day's receipts while Daddy sat drinking a cup of coffee and looked out the front window. Whiteside Chevrolet was across the street where the clinic is now and Daddy saw somebody messing around one of the cars on Whiteside's lot. The only phone we had was a pay phone out front so he told my mother to call the Sheriff's Department and report what was going on. He then left her alone and went across the street with his shotgun! Sure enough two boys from Center were trying to steal the wheels off a pickup. Daddy fired his shotgun at the back of their truck and they jumped in and took off ! When the Sheriff's Department arrived they found out what had happened and told Daddy 'Mr. Bink, if Jim Whiteside fires at someone stealing something from his dealership that is okay, but you cannot fire at someone who is stealing from someone else!'” 

“When the father of the boy who owned the pickup which had been shot saw the damage to the vehicle, his son told him that someone in a ski mask had shot at them the night before. So, the father and the boys reported the incident to the Sheriff's Department Monday morning. The Sheriff, knowing the situation called my dad and said 'Mr. Bink we need you to come over here.' It was decided that since the boys had been in the wrong for trying to steal the wheels from Whiteside and my dad had been wrong for shooting the boy's pickup, they would just drop the matter,” Connell continued. “Daddy said he was offended that they said he was wearing a ski mask. 'I'm ugly but not THAT ugly,' he said.” 

Connell displayed a large aerial photo of the original Quick Stop, which was destroyed by fire. “Some guy came through saying he would take an aerial photo of your business. I thought it was a scam but Daddy did it and was so proud of this picture”. She then pointed out details and old automobiles known to long-time Timpson residents.

“You know, some people say that Timpson is in decline, but I have been here since 1979 and I can tell you it's not true!”, Connell stated. She then read a long list of the businesses that she recalled operating in Timpson in 1979 followed by a list of the businesses in Timpson today. “As you can see, there's not much difference. We have about the same number of businesses now as we did then. The big difference is in sales. For example, Nix Forest Industries, the former Tyer Lumber Company, has about 50 employees, not much different from 1979, but they have constantly improved their operation. They now have state-of-the art equipment and are more efficient. They utilize every part of the logs that they buy. There are no piles of burning sawdust anymore. I would be afraid to even guess what their sales are but it is huge”!

“Texan Credit was started in Timpson and their home office remains here. They occupy two of the buildings downtown which they have improved and modernized. They employ 13 people here in town and they have 300 employees in their locations across Texas and Oklahoma. Any city would love to have them locate there but they are right here in Timpson,” Connell emphasized.

“Paul and Debra Smith's Smith Saw Service didn't even exist until 1990 but its sales are in the tens of millions of dollars now. They employ 80 people and Paul Smith holds dozens of patents. Smith Saw was sold to BID Industries out of Canada last year but continues to operate here.” Connell said.

“M&M Services has crews all over the United States and they are located here. They employ about 25 people locally,” Connell continued. “The City and Chamber worked hard to get the Cobb poultry operation here 30 years ago and had to spend a significant amount of money to provide the necessary utilities to them. But they employ about 50 people at the hatchery and about 30 out at the farm.”

“The largest employer in Timpson is the school system. For a long time they were far and away the largest, but that is no longer true, since other businesses have grown so much. The voters of Timpson ISD approved a big bond issue about 10 years ago for the Collegiate Center, among other things. I wasn't in favor of it but I grudgingly voted for it,” Connell revealed, “but what they have done is amazing. Through the STEM Program a student can graduate from Timpson High School with a two-year college Associates Degree at no cost to the student's family,” Connell revealed. “Our school facilities have been upgraded, our football team is #1 in the state, and who hasn't heard of Mr. Texas Football, Terry Bussey?”

“What's going on in Timpson is incredible! There is no rental property available here. People want to live here. You can say you're from Timpson with pride!” Connell concluded.

The Timpson Area Genealogical Society meets at 2PM on the third Wednesday of each month in the meeting room of the Timpson Public Library on the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets in downtown Timpson. The TAGHS library is located within the Timpson Public Library and is open and staffed from 9AM until 5PM weekdays. Telephone 936-254-2966 and ask for the Genealogical Library.

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.

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