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June 24, 2019 - Of the 16 million men and women who served in World War II there are less than 500,000 alive today with 348 passing each day. The average age of the WW II Veteran is approximately 93 with the last of America’s “Greatest Generation” to be gone in the next 25 years.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and Auxiliary feel it is important to honor those still living while they can. They have taken on the project to identify those from Shelby County and honor them on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2019. Details of the program will be announced later.
The criteria to be a World War II honoree is (1) Be alive as of June 17, 2019 (2) Be born in Shelby County (can now be living elsewhere) (3) If not a native be living in the county now (4) having served in the military during the period December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (5) received an honorable discharge. December 31, 1946 is the date that then President Harry Truman declared hostilities were over and is recognized in the United States as the end of WW II. Any veteran identified as an honoree that passes before Veterans Day will remain as such.
They are asking family members to help them in the identification process. Some proof of service will be required such as a discharge. If you have a living World War II Veteran in your family that meets the criteria above please contact Post Quartermaster Larry Hume, 936-598-2976; email, chief@chiefimaging.com; or drop by Chief Imaging, 614 Tenaha Street, Center.
Entry deadline is Monday, June 24, 2019
June 17, 2019 (Entry Form) - Shelby County watermelon growers are invited to bring their largest watermelon to the 30th Annual East Texas What-A-Melon Festival on the downtown Center square. The festival is July 11th, 12th, and 13th!
Last year was a good year for watermelons in Shelby County with twenty-two watermelon entries of which nineteen tipped the scales over 100 pounds! The first place melon grown by Olivia Johnson weighed 152 lbs and won the $2,500 grand prize.
From left: Whitley Johnson with 3rd place melon, Louise Johnson with her 2nd place melon, and Olivia Johnson with her 1st place melon
Whose melon will weigh in as the largest of the festival this year and leave with the big bucks? The weigh in is Thursday, July 11th at 6pm. The winning melon will be on display for the duration of the festival for visitors to see and for photo opportunities.
Entry deadline is Monday, June 24th. Melons must be grown in Shelby County and all entries will be marked while attached to the vine by festival judges. Entry forms can be picked up at Boles Feed in Center or at Brookshire Brothers on Hurst Street in Center. Entries can be dropped off at Brookshire Brothers on Hurst Street in Center or can be mailed to Chandra Atholi, 301 Wulf Creek Drive, Center, Texas 75935 or faxed to 936-598-5032.
The What-A-Melon Festival is hosted by the Center Rotary Club.
Click the image above for a larger version
June 21, 2019 - Tri-State Vacuum and Rental LLC held a ribbon cutting event in celebration of their 100th truck on June 20, 2019.
Employees, business associates, community members and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce representatives were at the location to help celebrate this great event at 8204 US Highway 59 North in Tenaha.
Stephanie Elswick, representing the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, introduced Troy Massey and his wife Abby.
Massey said how the company is really about the employees and truck drivers involved in the business.
"I'm a truck driver at heart, always have been, always will be. The most important thing to me and the company is the drivers," said Massey.
Massey explained the business started out just over three years ago with four employees. The Masseys devoted time, energy and their finances into the company, and invested all that they had without outside investors.
"It's just what we had in the company and a little help from the local bank who believed in us," said Massey. "That's probably the key to the whole company right there is a local bank that just believed in us and our ability to put a little money to work."
Massey shared the 100th truck is more than a number and he described it as being more of an indicator of transference from a "Mom and Pop" business to a large company with three different locations across Texas.
"What makes me most proud is for the people that work here, the truck drivers, the office ladies, the managers, dispatchers. We've been able to bring people in from big companies like Key Energy and like Basic and Nuverra. Those guys come here and they call it home, they don't leave," said Massey.
Massey attributes that to a family atmosphere and hometown feel of the company.
"A lot of times these other companies they try to recruit our employees. They offer them a dollar more an hour or $5,000 a year," said Massey. "The guys don't leave."
He said the greatest accomplishment is not the trucks, office, or anything else in the company but the ability to recruit and bring in the most talented people.
Massey said the support of customers has also been a big part of their success.
A company called Indigo Minerals was an example of that support, "They gave us an opportunity to work when we didn't quite have the equipment to cover the jobs and they believed in us."
Massey explained they were most interested in the job getting done and growing with Tri-State Vacuum and Rental.
"Without customers, it doesn't matter how many trucks you buy, it doesn't matter how many employees you have, if you don't have good customers that believe in you and are there for you day in and day out, then you just own a bunch of trucks," said Massey.
He stated the celebration is about the employees and the customers putting it all together and making it happen. As the event came to a close, Massey remarked there were representatives of Gov. Greg Abbott's office - Betty Russo; State Representative Travis Clardy's office - Terry Baker; and State Representative Chris Paddy's office - there for the celebration.
A ceremonial ribbon was then cut by Massey with family, friends, employees and others supporters at his side.
Afterward everyone was able to enjoy fried fish plates and BBQ.
June 21, 2019 - (Album) Shelby County Prayer Day took place on May 2nd, 2019 outside the Historical Courthouse on the Center Square. The program was led by David Mathis and several others. Barksdale Air Force Base Color Guards opened up the ceremony by presenting the colors of the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance which was led by Mathis.
Lee Porterfield sang the National Anthem and was accompanied by Mathis with piano. Texas Railroad Commissioner, Wayne Christian, gave a prayer for America. A big thanks was given by Mathis to Chief Keith Byndom and the Center Fire Department for helping raise the American Flag for this special event.
Karen Jones, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Center, prayed for the elected officials in office and gave a special prayer for our County Judge, Allison Harbison.
Marlin Cloudy, Pastor of Abundant Love Ministries of Center, prayed for schools in America. Tim Verner, Pastor of New Hope Congregational Methodist Church of Center, prayed for the First Responders and gave a special thanks to the Sheriff, Police, and Fire Departments for everything they do. He also included a special prayer for San Augustine that is recovering from the severe weather conditions that occurred earlier in the month of April.
Larry Hume, Quartermaster of the VFW Post 8904, gave a prayer for military members.
Sherry Hardy, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville, prayed for the churches in America.
To close the ceremony a human prayer chain was formed around the courthouse for individuals to silently pray together which was followed by the singing of Amazing Grace by all participates attending the ceremony. Mathis thanked everyone for coming out to help celebrate this special event.
June 21, 2019 - Center Dixie League will be hosting upcoming tournaments. Dates are listed below for each tournament:
- June 28 – July 1 – Tee Ball South Division I & II Regional State Tournament, Coach Pitch South Division I & II Regional State Tournament (35 teams)
- June 29 – July 4 – Dixie Boys Tier II State Tournament (8 teams)
- July 5 – July 8 – AAA South Division I & II Regional State Tournament, Ozone South Division I & II Regional State Tournament (34 teams)
- July 13 – July 18 – Dixie Boys Jr.(13yr old) State Tournament, Dixie Boys (13-14) State Tournament (16 teams)
June 19, 2019 - The Pony Express has completed their 2019 journey inviting everyone from surrounding communities to participate in Timpson Frontier Days.
Marilyn Corder, Timpson Area Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by Danny Dixon, and Sarah Dixon reached out to local towns and communities extending them a personal invitation to the event.
One of the most important factors in accomplishing this task was not only the Dixons. but the participation of the two horses traveling in the Pony Express, "Pepper" and this years new addition, "Gypsy."
The second day's journey began in Timpson with the recipients of the invitation being Misty Burgess, Timpson City Secretary; Donna Higginbotham, Kyle Bridges, and Paula Mullins.
After Timpson, the journey took the Pony Express to Tenaha where the invitation was presented to Amanda Treat, Tenaha City Secretary; Jeremy Pope, Tenaha Police Chief; and Elizabeth Swint, Tenaha Municipal Court Judge.
City of Gary was the next stop where those receiving the invite were Pam Woodfin, Gary City Secretary; John Patty and Cody Pierce
The final leg of the trip took the Pony Express to Carthage where everyone was gathered at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Those present for the event were Renee Nolen, Eleanor Humphries, Tanya Cooke, Cindy Deloney, Peyton Jones, Tommie Ritter Smith, Jane Ray, John Ray, Courtney Brady, Chase Dawson, and Dena Wilson.
The Pony Express traveled on June 17-18 to Mt. Enterprise, Garrison, Joaquin, Center, Timpson, Tenaha, Gary and Carthage. Timpson Frontier Days will be held July 4 - July 7th.
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June 19, 2019 - Polaris Ranger 500 RAFFLE! Shelby County Outreach Ministries are selling raffle tickets for a 2019 Polaris Ranger 500 4x4! Tickets are $20 each OR 6 for $100! You can purchase tickets at any Shelby County Outreach Ministries Programs. They will have a booth at the What-A-Melon Festival! The drawing will be on October 5th, 2019 the last day of the Poultry Festival. For more information, please give them a call at 598-4990.
June 18, 2019 - The Knights of Columbus from St. Therese Catholic Church will be selling Sausage on a Stick and Smoked Turkey Legs on Saturday June 22nd at the Napa Store parking lot across from Walmart. The sale will be from 10:00am until 2:00pm and will make a great lunch. Please come by and support the Knights of Columbus.
June 18, 2019 - Rain did not stop the gathering of families of descendents of Edgar and Sally Ann Garrett over the weekend. Edgar and Sallie are both deceased with only one daughter of six children still living. The families had traveled from Houston, Beaumont, Orange, Tyler, and Longview to join those who lived in Center to participate in two family reunions. Sallie's family was part of the Johnson-Garrett Family Reunion in San Augustine on Friday and Saturday, June 14/15 at the Rodeo Arena and that was a big hit with many in attendance and plenty food and drinks, games and prizes. On Sunday, in Center, in spite of the ongoing rain a fish fry and the trimmings were prepared while the guys sat under a tent to prevent the rain from soaking them while the ladies remained in the beautiful new home owned by one of the cousins. Shoes were left at the door to prevent wet prints on the floor. Everyone had fun and hope next year's reunion will be better and dryer. It is always good to be with family.
June 18, 2019 - Capt. Jesse Amason Camp #282 Sons of Confederate Veterans will hold their regular monthly meeting June 24, 2019 at Las Margaritas Restaurant, 110 Nacogdoches St., Center at 6:30 PM. Come join us as we honor our Confederate Ancestors! All interested parties are encouraged to attend, and if any male with a relative who serve in the Confederate cause is eligible to join. If you aren't sure if you qualify please let us help you find out. The public is welcome. Those wishing to eat are asked to arrive about 6:00 PM so you’ll be ready for the program. Contact Jim Barrett (936) 254-2618 for additional information.
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