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Around Town
November 12, 2019 - Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom spoke at the Toledo Bend Retired Teachers meeting held Monday, October 28, 2019 at Pizzeria in Center.
With the promise of cooler temperatures approaching, Chief Byndom spoke with the group about fire safety and another one of his responsibilities for the city of Center as Emergency Management coordinator.
Chief Byndom advised everyone to have their heaters checked and their air conditioning units serviced. He stated one of the leading causes of house fires are heating sources.
"Be it electrical, gas heaters or what have you, make sure you have those tested," said Chief Byndom.
He advised anyone using space heaters to in fact provide ample space around them of at least three feet.
"As we get older, our blood gets a little thin, or if we're taking blood thinners to boot, we stay cold," said Byndom.
He described some older individuals will have these heaters turned up to such a degree, flames emanate over the top of them.
"They think, the more fire they see the better off they are, but if you'll just turn that thing on about medium it'll heat that room," said Byndom.
Byndom explained a lot of circumstances where an individual will sit extremely close to a heater and how that can be highly dangerous.
"You don't realize just how hot your clothes are getting, and your clothes will catch on fire," said Chief Byndom.
He said not to get too close to the heater and don't leave a lot of things sitting near the heater.
Chief Byndom advised individuals with electric heat pump systems to have their units serviced. A lot of times when starting those units for the winter season, dust and lint that has collected in the systems will burn off and can generate a smell that is normal.
"When you see smoke, you've got a problem, but don't wait till you see smoke," said Chief Byndom.
Emergency Management coordinators are responsible for insuring a plan is in place should a natural disaster or some sort of major catastrophe occur. These plans assist in preparedness and outline how emergency responders and other personnel should react to different scenarios.
"It's not if it comes through, it's when it comes through, because we're going to experience a disaster," said Chief Byndom.
An advanced plan is in place, and Byndom said the current one was just updated as this has to be accomplished every five years.
The plan has multiple annexes and Byndom described what they are: transportation, communication, public works, fire fighting, emergency management, mass care, logistics, public health, search and rescue, oil and hazardous material response, agriculture, energy, public safety, recovery, public information, hurricane, drought, wild fire, radiological, and terrorism.
According to Chief Byndom, Shelby County is categorized as a drive through county. This means Shelby County isn'd a destination for those evacuating from hurricane challenged areas.
Chief Byndom recollected a lot of the challenges emergency personnel and citizens faced in 2005 when hurricane refugees came to the Shelby County area.
He also enlightened everyone on the potential use of the civic center in Center if the emergency fits the right criteria.
"That civic center is not a hurricane shelter, we really don't have a hurricane shelter, that is a [short-term] tornado shelter," said Chief Byndom.
According to Chief Byndom. the Center Police Department has the ability to unlock the doors at the civic center from their department if a tornado impact is imminent.
Chief Byndom said if someone were traveling down Hurst Street when they receive a tornado warning on their phone or radio, they could potentially drive up to the civic center to take immediate shelter.
Chief Byndom described a scenario of receiving a tornado warning and not being in the direct vicinity of the civic center. He said that would be a time to shelter in place, and not to make an attempt to reach the civic center, because that would be more dangerous than sheltering in place.
After hearing from Chief Byndom, the group thanked him for attending their meeting.
November 12, 2019 - The Center Rotary Club will have their noon meeting today (November 12th) at the Community House instead of the John D. Windham Civic Center.
October 25, 2019 - Veterans Day, November 11, is a time for Americans to pay their respects to all those who have served our country. One day to stand united in respect for ALL veterans, past and present. We celebrate and honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of county and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Except for last year when we honored the 100th anniversary to the end of World War I, Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 does not hold its own program. Instead we join with two Shelby County high schools, Joaquin (9:00 a.m. HS Gym) and Tenaha (9:30 a.m. Cafeteria) that hold Veterans Day programs and announce youth essay winners and pass out awards. Timpson also has a program in conjunction with American Legion Post 90 at 10:00 a.m. in the Bear Drive Gymnasium.
We encourage every citizen of Shelby County, especially military veterans to join us in attending one of these three high school programs. The students put in a lot of time and effort to make our local veterans feel special and if you’ve never attended you will be glad you did.
November 8, 2019 - The 50 Women of Impact voted to donate money from the last quarter of 2019 to Community Christian Services.
Alease Copelin, a 50 Women of Impact representative, carried the check for $8,100 up to the stage and announced the winner. Copelin advised the check amount won't be the final amount as more money is being collected.
Last quarter the donation for the Timpson Food for Thought Pantry grew from $8,700 after the meeting to $10,100 once members had all turned in their $100.
Presenting and accepting on behalf of Community Christian Services was Bro. Jody Hooper. The funds will be used to perform the main focus of CCS – to feed people. The organization is volunteer based with no paid employees and about two dozen volunteers work together to acquire food from multiple sources and locations to provide a grocery store type experience for individuals in Shelby County who struggle with hunger. CCS strives to provide an atmosphere of dignity and grace where people feel cared for as they are helped to feed their family. Additional funding will enable CCS to acquire a larger variety and quantity of food for its clients.
The 50 Women of Impact group organized and held their first meeting in November of 2017 with the hopes of getting 50 women to give $100 each quarter for a combined contribution to an elected organization. The first meeting surpassed the 50 women with 94 inaugural members. The group has continued to grow and meet once a quarter to donate funds. Past recipients are the Shelby County Welfare Board; AgriLife Extension, Shelby Family Consumer Science program; Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library; Boo's Battle Cancer Fund; Shelby County Outreach Ministries; Jon, Macy and Misty Bush Foundation; HOPE Community Medical to establish a Fund to Help with Medical Needs for Working People; and Timpson Food for Thought Pantry.
Including the $8,100 from this meeting, the total money donated by the 50 Women of Impact is $86,500 with more coming in!
From left: Sandra Davis, Sue Russell, Donna Holt, Dottie West, Linda Anderson, Montie Jones, and Jane Morrison
November 8, 2019 - Dottie West, president of the Center Woman's Reading Club, recently presented three books to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library in honor of Joe Anderson, the late husband of club member Linda Anderson.
Three books by Dr. Bill O'Neal were presented to Sandra Davis, library director. O'Neal is a noted historian and author.
“We are here because we want to present Sandra (Davis) and the library, the three books we purchased in honor of Joe Anderson,” West said. “We know that Joe loved God, his family and Texas A&M, in that order.”
West said it was fitting the donation was of books authored by O'Neal.
“We also know that Joe loved Texas, he loved reading about it and he loved Bill O'Neal's books,” she said.
While the library has some of O'Neal's books, the donation included three books which were not in the library's collection.
“Texas Gunslingers,” “Frontier Forts of Texas” and “East Texas in World War II” were the volumes donated and now available to patrons.
Each of the volumes noted they were donated in honor of Joe Anderson, West said.
Submitted by Stephanie Elswick, Publicity Chair
November 7, 2019 - (More Photos Coming Soon!) - The 97th Shelby County Chamber of Commerce banquet was held Thursday night, November 7, 2019 at the John D. Windham Civic Center with 100 years of Chamber of Commerce history highlighted along with community members honored.
The Distinguished Citizen of the Year award was presented to Fannie Watson with a standing ovation for her years of service and dedication to the community. Jheri-Lynn McSwain, the 2018 recipient, had the honor of introducing and presenting Ms. Watson with her award.
The Young Citizen of the Year was presented to Clay Ihlo by Clayton Windham who was the the 2018 recipient. Ihlo, since moving back to Shelby County, has become an active member of the community. He is a loan officer at Shelby Savings Bank, a member of the Center Noon Lions Club, President of the Center Country Club, a member of the Shelby County Cookers, and Past-Postmaster of the Sam Sanford Lodge.
The farm family of the year was introduced by Lane Dunn, Shelby County AgriLife Extension Agent, to be John Paul Lawson and wife Dixie. The Lawson family was recognized for not only their dedication to Agriculture but also for their focus on the future of Agriculture.
Brian Dean, Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board, presented the Chairman of the Board award to Rose Specter for volunteering whenever needed and her willingness to always help.
Dean also gave acknowledgement to Brian Wages for the Past Chairman of the Board award. Wages served the chamber as Chairman of the Board in 2018.
Mary Lynn Tinkle introduced the two Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Teachers of the Year to the audience. Both had been honored at a reception earlier in the year. The Elementary Teacher of the Year was Beth Nichols and the Secondary Teacher of the Year was Brooke Harrison. (Related article: Nichols, Harrison Receive Shelby County Teacher of the Year Awards).
Chris Watlington who has preformed the duties of Master of Ceremonies for many years and occasions for the Chamber of Commerce received a special acknowledgement for his service and was presented a golden microphone trophy.
November 7, 2019 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. is asking for your help this month. Our food item of the month is peanut butter. If you would like to help out, please drop off the food item at the Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. which is located at 930 Shelbyville, Street next to the railroad tracks at MLK Drive from 9am until 2pm weekdays.
Donations are always welcome of dry beans, rice, canned meats, and can vegetables. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 1029, Center, Texas 75935. For more information, call us at 598-4990.
Volunteers are welcome as well. Thank you and God Bless!
November 6, 2019 - The Tenaha Masonic Lodge would like to thank the community and businesses for their support in making our BBQ fund raiser a success.
Ron Barker, Secretary
November 4, 2019 - Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment of this disease.
During Friday night's Joaquin game, students are gathered to make a contribution to Boo’s Battle Support Fund, which has provided assistance for families in our community that has faced the battle of cancer.
Boo’s Battle was formed in memory of Brandi Mills. A loving mother, daughter, friend, aunt and sister. Brandi was also a 2005 graduate of Joaquin High School. Brandi was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer February 16, 2015 and lost her battle June 27, 2017. Her family wanted to keep her memory alive by helping others during their battle with this awful disease, cancer. Brandi was a warrior and fought hard to stay with her sons, Hunter and Henley, current students of Joaquin Elementary. Throughout her battle, she was assisted by our community through fundraisers, love and prayers.
Joaquin High School’s BETA Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and cheerleading squad joined forces this year to organize our Pink Out Week. Events were held on all campuses bringing in a grand total of… $4,297.29!
At the game was Boo’s Battle committee members, Amanda Kirby, Chris Martin and Judy Monroe here to accept a donation. Presenting the donation are officers from BETA, FCCLA and JHS Cheer Squad captains.
If you are a family battling cancer and needing assistance you can reach out to the Boo’s Battle Support Fund Facebook page. An application can be emailed to you by messaging the page.
We are grateful for the community’s contribution to Boo’s Battle and are proud to be a part of their success! Boo’s Battle has been able to help over 60 families in our community!
October 1, 2019 - Weather statistics for October 2019 are prepared and submitted by Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service Observer.
Highest Temp was 98 degrees on 10-04-2019
Highest Temp on Record was 100 degrees on 10-01-1953
Lowest Temp was 36 degrees on 10-31-2019
Lowest Temp on Record was 26 degrees on 10-31-1993
Rainfall Recorded was 5.62 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 5.32 inches
Above Average by 0.30 inches
Highest Recorded for This Month was 18.94 in 2009
Lowest Recorded for This Month was 0.00 inches in 1952 & 2005
Rainfall through October is 48.77 inches
Average through October is 43.72 inches
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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