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Held Over
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Senior Citizen's Night
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Around Town
March 24, 2025 - Center High School Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Students recently partnered with Nathali Abella Hernandez to make a donation to The Street Youth Ministry Project. Clothing, shoes, and hygiene items were collected and donated.
Nathali is a recent CHS graduate who came back to East Texas to ask for support in reaching the vulnerable youth in Austin, Texas. Our JCC Students were more than excited to share in this experience of helping others.
March 18, 2025 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held their regular monthly meeting the past Saturday at the First Methodist Church in Center, Texas. The workshop presentation was on how to photograph flowers extraordinaire. If you are interested in flower photography or any type of photography, come join this meeting on the 3rd Saturday in April (19) at the First Methodist Church, 211 Cora Street, Center, Tx. from 9am to 12 noon. If you have questions or concerns about your camera, there is a wide variety of skill levels in our club, from amateur to professional, from DSLR to cell phones.
The March Challenge for members was "Show Me Your Green" . Members submitted up to 3 of their photos, with the color green being the dominate factor, for discussion and voting for club favorites. To view all the challenge entries view our Flickr page, https://www.flickr.com/groups/pineywoodsphotographic/ or follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PineyWoodsPhoto
The March favorites are:
1st Pl. Favorite: "Hang In There" by Bobbie Jean Wood"
2nd Pl. Favorite: "Camera Bracelet by Lea Ann Robertson
3rd Pl. Favorite: "Green Pencils" by Debra Cockrell
March 17, 2025 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met March 9 at the First Methodist Church fellowship hall. During the business meeting, President Alease Copelin announced that the theme for books selected for next year’s reports will be Banned Books. She said this theme will provide an interesting look not only at the books but also for the reasons they were banned. Many books that have been banned in the past include well known and very popular books such as Fahrenheit 451, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Gone With The Wind.
Following a long tradition of the club, a bridal shower was given during the meeting for member Hope Jordan to celebrate her upcoming nuptials. She was delighted with the gifts she received and expressed her appreciation to club members for the gifts and the friendships.
Following the business meeting, hostess Bonnie Lucus (right photo) provided a delicious luncheon enjoyed by all. Also serving as program leader, Mrs. Lucus gave a fascinating report on the novel The Whale Bone Theater written by Joanna Quinn. Ms. Quinn grew up in Dorset, England where this novel is set. She also is an author of short stories and teaches creative writing.
The Whalebone Theater is a work of historical fiction and is based on true episodes in England’s history. The story is about three children who grow up there and create adventures for themselves. The protagonist of the novel is Cristabel who along with the help of her siblings and others in her home build the Whalebone Theater using the bones of a whales who was washed ashore. It provided a place for their imaginations to grow.The novel continues through World War II. Cristabel now a headstrong young woman becomes a British secret agent serving in the war. The novel provides great insight into family life and the impact war had not only on the nation of England but also on the families who lived through it.
March 10, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 Post members and Auxiliary gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on February 28, 2025, to honor those who served in Operation Desert Storm 34 years ago.
The program was opened by Richard Lundie, Post Chaplain, and he gave the opening prayer.
Lundie shared the history, “On January the 17th 1991 Coalition forces from 34 nations led by the United States began an aerial bombardment of Iraq. This was in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. A week later on January 24th, a ground assault began the liberation of Kuwait and the advancement into Iraqi territories. After 42 days of relentless attacks by an Allied Coalition, in air and ground, President [George H.W.] Bush declared a cease-fire on February 28, 1991, [34] years ago. 148 Americans had died in battle and there were another 145 non combatant deaths and 467 wounded. We have no known casualties in Shelby County, but many did serve.”
Lundie then recognized the two veterans in attendance who fought in Operation Desert Storm - Sean Martin and himself. He also spoke the names of two Desert Storm Veterans who he personally knew, Bruce Watson and Rick Isom.
Comrade Ray Miller placed the memorial wreath in honor of the Desert Storm Veterans upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
“Our presence here today is a small but heartfelt thank you to Desert Storm Veterans who died during the war and for those who survived and who have since passed, and to those who are still living. If it were not for you gathering here today, it would have gone unnoticed in Shelby County. The service and sacrifices of those veterans would not have been remembered. We cannot let any group of veterans be forgotten, this is our charge, and again thank you,” said Lundie.
In a final tribute, Taps was sounded by Post Member Sean Martin.
March 6, 2025 - Center Garden Club members Cherry Jones, Janette Wittman, Carole Chance and Carolyn Bounds enjoyed a second evening meeting with Shelby County 4-H members who under the leadership of Carolyn Bounds created classic, round cut-flower designs. With spring blossoms abounding soon, the 4-H youngsters pictured above with their first designs will be able to create even more lovely designs in the future.
Submitted by Carolyn Bounds
February 28, 2025 - February is Dental Awareness Month. Today, members from the Joaquin Masonic Lodge in partnership with Fantastic Teeth Club brought dental kits to all of our Joaquin first grade students.
Students enjoyed a presentation about learning the importance of caring for our teeth and how to do that. They then each received a kit!
Joaquin Elementary says a BIG ‘Thank You’ to the local Masonic Lodge!
February 28, 2025 - The Sam Samford Masonic Lodge #149 facilitated the delivery of water to the Center Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) which was sponsored by Covington Lumber Company. Owners, Johny and Tammie Covington, oversaw the loading of a pallet of water onto a trailer pulled by Troy Keele, a mason with the lodge.
The Covingtons understand the importance of drinking water for firemen as their son is a volunteer fireman. When firemen are fighting fires in full bunker gear, even in moderate temperatures, internal temperatures can quickly rise increasing the potential for heat stress which can impact their decision-making and physical performance. If firemen aren’t able to cool down quickly, severe heat-related illnesses can occur.
Receiving the water delivery on behalf of the Center Volunteer Fire Department was CFD Chief Keith Byndom. Chief Byndom expressed his appreciation to the Masons and the water sponsor, Covington’s Lumber Company, because their support of the firemen is critical to helping them do their job.
Pictured are (from left) Alyssa Mauz, Tara Nachman, Jerry Russell, Jerryl Adams, Brad Green, Yancy Hudspeth, Larry Berg, Brad Nachman and Mitchell Nachman.
'February 26, 2025 - West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) was recently awarded funding from the 50 Women Impact group on February 11, 2025, in the amount of $11,000.
The WSCVFD is very appreciative of this grant funding, which will go toward building repair for the fire station.
WSCVFD sought the funds to help replace the roof on the fire station building. The current roof is original from the 1979 construction of the building and time has taken a toll. If any funds remain after replacing the roof, the funds will be used to replace fire-fighting gear for members both new and old.
February 24, 2025 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Shelby County Class of 2024-2025 attended Health Care Day last week.
The Leadership Group visited the Emergency Room, Pine Grove Nursing Center, Allegiance Mobile Care, The Dialysis Clinic, Lakeside Assisted Living Facility, A Piney Woods HHC, Center Health and Harmony and Golden Eye Clinic. During lunch there were presentations from HOPE Community Medicine and Cornerstone Physical Therapy and Balance.
The class will attend Agriculture Day on March 19th.
Thank you to the following for helping make the day a learning success: Tammy Hanson, Justin Eastepp and Pine Grove Nursing Center staff, Johnnie Perry and Allegiance Mobile Care staff, Dialysis Clinic staff, Lakeside Living Facility, Susan Hairgrove, Dr. Heather and Clay Ihlo, Brandi Emanis, Machelle Crooks and Dr. Rachel Knight. A special thank you to Cheryl Ard with Center ISD transportation department and Shelby Savings Bank.
Leadership Shelby County is a year long program presented by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce designed to identify potential leaders and develop within these individuals the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to enable them to actively participate in the enhancement of the quality of life in their communities.
February 20, 2025 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met February 6 at the Center First Methodist Church in the fellowship hall. During the business meeting, club President Alease Copelin invited everyone to attend an exhibit open house titled 'Clubs and Organizations' at the Shelby County Museum on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 1 to 4pm. The museum is open weekdays from 1 to 4pm. The Center Woman’s Reading Club has a display at the exhibit that shows the long history of the club that was founded in 1896. The club members greatly appreciate Mrs.Copelin for the research she did and the display she created that reflects the club’s significance and impact of the club.
Deborah Chadwick encouraged everyone to attend Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library February 21-22 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The library has recently undergone an extensive renovation with new bookshelves, new seating areas, and other upgrades that will make the library appealing to patrons of all ages. The ribbon cutting will be Friday, February 21 at 10am. There will be authors present on both days. Saturday will be focused on children for Take Your Child to the Library Day with children’s authors present and special activities designed for children. The Center Woman’s Reading Club has long been a patron of the library.
Following the business meeting, member Mary Lynn Tinkle presented a book report on 'A Christmas Memory' written by Truman Capote. Compote wrote in several genres including short stories, novels including 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s,' broadway play, autobiographies, play adaptations, and was given credit for developing a new genre called a narrative non fiction when he wrote his best seller 'In Cold Blood.' Capote was a childhood friend with 'To Kill A Mockingbird' author Harper Lee. As adults they worked on several writing projects together. Mrs. Tinkle reported on a story he wrote titled 'A Christmas Memory' that was based on his childhood when his parents sent him to live with relatives in Alabama. It tells the story of a young boy ,Buddy, who befriends his 60 year old cousin he calls my friend. Together they raise money during the year to buy ingredients to bake fruitcakes for people who they had befriended and those like President Roosevelt whom they admired. Although they did not have much money, the friendship between the two brought them the most happiness.
Submitted by Mary Lynn Tinkle
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