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January 16 - January 20
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Around Town
January 19, 2026 - Recently, Rotarian J. J. Ford visited Center Middle School and she spoke to twenty-four 8th grade girls, who are all members of the group known as My Sister Myself which is a service club.
Ford, a member of the Rotary Cub of Center, introduced the young girls to Rotary International, the world’s first service club, founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney. He envisioned a professional organization where people of diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships. However, at that time, it did not include women.
She shared a short video with the girls which included some history of the Rotary Club International, such as Polio Eradication (1979–Present), and the eventual inclusion of women.
Following a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Rotary clubs worldwide began admitting women, who are now the fastest-growing segment of the organization.
She also shared the club’s motto - "Service Above Self.” This is also a principle MY SISTER MYSELF strives to practice, through the many service deeds they perform, such as: canned food drives, pulling trash from classrooms for custodians, buying caps and socks for senior citizens and presenting them to residents at nursing homes, working at food banks, and many other deeds. In fact, each girl has to have 5 out of 7 service points in order to travel on the spring college tour.
J.J. shared how the Rotary Club has donated over $1 million to the Roughrider Scholarship Foundation for graduating seniors. She also told the girls about many service projects Rotary of Center has done around the community such as providing ADA compliant equipment at Portacool Park for those with disabilities, contributing to youth sports parks, replacing carpet in the Redditt Room at the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library, and so much more.
J.J. wanted the girls to know that the service they’re doing now can carry over into the future. One day, they too can join the Rotary Club of Center and carry on the “motto” both groups now share.
Ticket drawing at noon tomorrow, January 20th!
January 19, 2026 - The Rotary Club of Center is hosting a fundraiser with the grand prize being a Kohler 20KW Home Standby Generator valued at $11,696! Ticket donations are $40 for one ticket or $100 for 3 tickets. The winner will be drawn on Tuesday, Janaury 20, 2026 during the Rotary Club noon meeting!
The Kohler 20KW Home Standby Generator with standard installation is valued at $11,696! Standard installation is within 20 feet of service and within Shelby County or within 30 miles of Center. Areas outside of range, additional installation costs may apply. Installation does not include gas hook up; it will be the responsibility of the winner. Winner need not be present to win.
Center Rotary Club members have tickets as well as the following business locations: ACE Hardware, Blake Furniture, East Texas Poultry Supply, Farmers State Bank, Mathews Realty, Sabine State Bank, and Shelby Savings Bank.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to charitable donations made by the Rotary Club to the community. This year's club service project will benefit the residents of Shelby County nursing homes as well as the Senior Nutrition Site. More information to come.
January 16, 2026 - Promoted in January 2026 to Sergeant in the Texas Department of Public Safety is David Shields, Jr.
Sgt. Shields has been with the Texas Department of Public Safety since September 9, 2016, after which he graduated on February 17, 2017. He eventually transferred to Center in 2021, and during his time working in the Shelby County area he was promoted to Corporal in 2023.
Now working out of the Marshall area, Sgt. Shields will be over Harrison and Panola Counties.
Sgt. Shields is pictured above with his spouse, Dandi Shields; daughter, Lennox Shields. (Not pictured is his son Aidan Shields.)
January 16, 2026 - Lions Club President Mahesh Galal proudly presented Fred Wulf with a 50-year service plaque, honoring his five decades of dedication and lasting contributions to the Center Noon Lions Club.
Submitted by Walter Bounds
January 14, 2026 - Joaquin High School teacher, Heaven Umbrell recently received her VFW Post 8904 Teacher of the Year award for 2025-2026. On Monday, January 12, Post Commander Derrick Roberts presented her with a framed certificate and a check for $200. Also on hand was Joaquin High School Principal Jonathan Jones.
January 12, 2026 - (Photo Album) - A car show was held in Timpson hosted by Hudson Auto Parts on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Even though the day was both wet and cold, the event drew a large number and variety of vehicles for all to see.
The show was more of a showcase, rather than a competition, and participants were presented with door prizes.
January 12, 2026 - The following area students received degrees during the 2025 fall semester at Sam Houston State University.
Christopher Byndom, a 2019 graduate of Center High School, received a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Reyna Duarte-Calixto, also a 2019 graduate of Center High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
January 7, 2026 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries is making some immediate changes to our congregate feeding program. The purchase of meals is now available to all.
- Seniors 60 and older (Dine-in): $6 per meal
- Senior Take-Out Meals: $8 per meal
- Non-Seniors 60 and under (Guests/Others): $10 per meal
The Senior Nutrition Site will continue to strive to provide a warm and welcoming environment for senior citizens to come and enjoy fellowship, games, and learning opportunities. All proceeds go towards supporting our senior feeding programs. For more information, please contact Director of Senior Programs Darlene Mitchell at 936-598-7768.
January 7, 2026 - The Center Garden Club met for its December meeting in the home of Carolyn Bounds who served a holiday lunch and presented the program, "Trees for Christmas."
Carolyn shared her gumdrop tree, a festive holiday treat that can serve as a fun centerpiece. She, also, shared her arrangement of bare winter branches adorned with ornamental glass birds or bulbs that makes a simple but stunning use of leafless trees.
Carolyn's third reference to "Trees for Christmas" was her sharing of the legend of Captain Herman Shueneman who for many years crossed Lake Michigan in his old three-masted schooner laden with thousands of Christmas trees bound for Chicago where masses eagerly awaited him. The masses had proclaimed him "Captain Santa," the man who not only sold his trees, but more importantly, delivered many of them free of charge to the churches, hospitals, and needy families of Chicago. Unfortunately, in 1912 tragedy struck; Captain Santa and his crew were lost to a raging Lake Michigan storm. His legacy of generosity and kindness lives on to this day, when every year, including 2025, the US Coast Guard's cutter the Mackinaw arrives at Chicago's Navy Pier from the North to donate trees to deserving families as a kind gesture in the spirit of Captain Santa (Herman Shueneman). Trees are certainly one of Nature's loveliest gifts to all.
Following the program, a brief business meeting was conducted and adjourned with a Merry Christmas wish to all.
January 2, 2026 - In keeping with Center Garden Club's goal of sharing Nature's beauty throughout our community, the month of December saw Merry Carnes presenting a lovely double red poinsettia to Focused Care of Center Nursing Home. Pictured receiving the poinsettia from club member Merry Carnes (right) is Director of Nursing Susan Dinbali (left).
Submitted by Carolyn Bounds
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