Around Town
October 17, 2024 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met October 3 in the First Methodist Church fellowship hall. The members enjoyed a perfect fall meal of frito pie and butter cake provided by member Angie Davis.
During the business meeting, Corresponding Secretary Fannie Watson read a letter from Sandra Davis thanking the club for the generous donation made to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library.
Member Dottie West reported that the library book sale will take place October 22-26. Volunteers are needed to help the Friends of the Library with the sale. Also anyone wishing to donate books for the sale may take them to the library. Club President Alease Copelin introduce guest Kim Oswalt.
Following the business meeting Dottie West gave a fascinating book report on The Book of Charlie a memoir written by David Von Drehle. Drehle, a veteran journalist, moved to Kansas where he met his neighbor Charlie White who was more than a century old. In fact Charlie lived to be 109 years old. When Drehle began visiting with Charlie and became aware of all the wisdom he had to share, he began taking notes to share with his children thinking it would teach them great life lessons. He later published the book.
White faced many challenges in his life but believed that no matter how many challenges we face in life one must not give in to the challenges but instead deal with them and grow from them. Charlie’s mother taught him to be resilient and to never give up on himself or others. Charlie’s life was centered on being patient, hard work and spreading joy. He believed meaning could be found in everyday actions and found his greatest joy in service to others.
Mrs. West ask members to share their own stories of wisdom sayings learned from others. The program provided much insight on the importance of both listening and learning from our own experiences as well as the experiences of others. Experience truly is the best teacher!
From left: Daughter Gloria, Post Commander Mike Wulf, wife Satchiko, Mr. Jack, Post Chaplain Richard Lundie, Auxiliary member Linda Lundie, Post Quartermaster Mary Roberts, and Auxiliary President Mary Fausett. Photo taken by Post Adjutant Larry Hume.
October 11, 2024 - Members of Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904, Center, Texas, and the Auxiliary visited with 95-year-old veteran Jack Wills on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and presented him with his Quilt of Valor. Mr. Jack could not attend the Shelby County 4-H Heart to Hands Quilts of Valor ceremony at the recent Poultry Festival due to health concerns. He joined the US Army in 1948 and served with Company C, 307 Engineers, 82 Airborne Infantry Division until 1957, when he joined the US Air Force as a C-130 Loadmaster and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1969. Mr. Jack and his wife, Satchiko, recently celebrated 67 years of marriage.
From left: Wife Satchiko and Jack Wills. Photo taken by Post Adjutant Larry Hume.
October 10, 2024 - VFW Post 8904 and the Auxiliary each had a drawing at this year's Poultry Festival. Daniele won the electric smoker, and Roy Blackshear won the Remembrance Poppy Quilt. Auxiliary member Linda Lundie made the quilt.
October 10, 2024 - Ambassadors of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce traveled to Tenaha for the New Chamber Member ribbon cutting event for the Tiger Shake to congratulate new owners Chad and Tina Hutto.
Chamber of Commerce President Deborah Chadwick shared, “On behalf of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, I want to welcome Tiger Shack as a new member. We all know and love Tina [Hutto] with her Private Love Christian Care.” Chadwick presented Hutto with her new chamber plaque and shared the Tiger Shack has been open for 3 days and they have been going through the pizza already and running out of supplies.
Hutto shared, “I’m Tina Hutto, I live here in Tenaha, born in Center, Texas. We opened up Tiger Shack, like she said three days ago, and we are doing really good. We have Hunts Brother’s Pizza, hot wings, wing bites, and I have a friend that is selling coffees and teas. This summer we will be adding snow cones, ice cream and different little summer things. We are going to try to be open Tuesday through Thursday from 10am until 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am until 10pm. We are going to be closed on Sundays and Mondays.”
Hutto also mentioned the house located next to the Tiger Shack will be a future adult daycare center which will take some time as lots of work is needed to renovate it. She ended up by saying, “I thank all of ya’ll for coming and supporting me and being on this journey with us.”
The Tiger Shack is located at 211 South Center Street, Tenaha, Texas.
October 9, 2024 - (Photo Album) - Timpson Elementary School students took a field trip September 28, 2024 and they visited businesses on the Timpson square.
The classes first visited McDonald & Sons Auto Parts/Ace Hardware where there was a variety of tools and products; Boss Lady Bakery had some fresh cookies students were treated to and they met all the employees at Texan Credit Corporation where they received a treat on the way out the door. From there, they stopped by the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and learned about safety and fire equipment.
Students then went to Daily Dose where they visited the in-house fitness studio and sampled some of the menu in the coffee shop.
Timpson Library on Austin Street was their next stop where they enjoyed a story time, and they then visited Bussey Drug Store.
Ending their journey, the students then traveled to the Tie and Timber Lodging and Event Center, which is under construction, and Mayor Debra Smith explained to the students what is taking place during the construction there. Students received a bag of goodies before leaving there to head back to school.
October 7, 2024 - Students with Brooke Harrison’s high school chemistry class from Shelbyville performed a “Magic/Chemistry Show” during the 48th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival on Friday, October 4, 2024.
The students demonstrated a variety of science experiments (magic) during their time on stage in a humorous display that engaged the audience.
Pictured are (from left) Lawrence Davis, Andi Foster, Rex Hutto, Dickie Gilchrist, Leon Aldridge, and Cole Milford.
October 7, 2024 - (Photo Album) - The 48th East Texas Poultry Festival Car and Motorcycle Show and Shine had an exciting turnout of vehicles entered on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Before Leon Aldridge announced the winners in each category he thanked all who entered and reminisced on the comradery shared by all involved.
“I want to thank everybody who came here for just a fun day of getting together, telling stories about the good old days, the good new days,” said Aldridge.
Pictured are (from left) Lawrence Davis, Brett AMy, Leon Aldridge, and Cole Milford.
He thanked Raymond Motor Company and representative Cole Milford for sponsoring the Chamber of Commerce event.
Aldridge also extended gratitude to his “able helpers” Lawrence Davis and Andi Foster.
Award recipients:
- Motorcycles - All Years: 2014 Harley Davidson Motorcycle owned by Brett Amy
- Cars and Trucks - 1948 and older: 1940 Ford Coupe, Dickie Gilchrist
- Cars and Trucks - 1972 to 1949: 1969 Chevrolet, Rex Hutto
- Cars and Trucks - 1973 and newer: 1979 Chevrolet C-10, Kagen Barbee
- Overall Most Votes/People’s Choice - 1948 and older: 1940 Ford Coupe, Dickie Gilchrist
Pictured are (from left) Lawrence Davis, Kagen Barbee, Leon Aldridge, and Cole Milford.
Pictured are (from left) Lawrence Davis, Dickie Gilchrist, Leon Aldridge, and Cole Milford.
Pictured are (from left) Lawrence Davis, Rex Hutto, Leon Aldridge, and Cole Milford.
Pictured above are (from left): Jamie Hagler; Philip Crelia, Poncho Elliott and Shirel Sanders.
October 7, 2024 - Poncho Elliott was announced as the winner of the welding trailer and welding machine in the drawing held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the 48th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival.
The trailer was built by Center FFA and the welding machine was donated by Sandhill Wrecker Service.
October 7, 2024 (Photos in progess) - This year’s East Texas Poultry Festival Open Photography Show was a huge success! All the entries were exceptional, and the judges certainly had a tough decision with the photos submitted. Thanks to all the competitors and volunteers for their interest and hard work.
Adult Division
Animals
1st place - Bobbie Jean Wood
2nd place - Billie F Jones
3rd place - Janice Carter
Honorable Mention: Summer Koltonski
Urbans
1st place - Lawrence Davis
2nd place - Lawrence Davis
3rd place - Billie F Jones
Honorable Mention: Angie Davis & Bobbie J Wood
Flowers
1st place - Summer Koltonski
2nd place - Janice Carter
3rd place - Janice Carter
Honorable Mention: Billie F Jones
Fine Art
1st place - Bobbie J Wood
2nd place - Billie F Jones
3rd place - Starla Fischer
Honorable Mention: Bobbie Jean Wood & Lawrence Davis
Digital Manipulation/Photo Restoration
1st place - Janice Carter
2nd place - Bobbie J Wood
3rd place - Billie F Jones
Honorable Mention: Janice Carter
Poultry
1st place - Bobbie Jean Wood
2nd place - Anna Jones
3rd place - Bobbie J Wood
Honorable Mention: Starla Fischer
Scenics
1st place - Bobbie J Wood
2nd place - Billie F Jones
3rd place - Bobbie J Wood
Honorable Mention: Lawrence Davis & LeaAnn Robertson
People
1st place - Bobbie J Wood
2nd place - Julia Cantrell-Green
3rd place - Anna Jones
Honorable Mention: Megan Hendricks & LeaAnn Robertson
Best of Show - Bobbie J Wood, “Why the Cow Jumped Over the Moon”
People’s Choice - Bobbie J Wood, "That's What I Love About Texas"
Youth Division
Fine Arts
1st place - Saira Olalde
2nd place - Kelsi Wood
3rd place - Joseph Camaco
Honorable Mention: Bryan Trejo
People
1st place - Gabriel Lamas
Animals
1st place - Dulce Sandiego
2nd place - Bryan Trejo
3rd place - Saira Olalde
Honorable Mention: Kaleb M Companiello
Flowers
1st place - Roberto Diaz
2nd place - Caleb Mosley
3rd place - Clover King
Honorable Mention: Logan Galindo
Scenics
1st place - Gabriel Lamas
2nd place - Sydney Shout
3rd place - Set Lah Wah
Honorable Mention: Clover King & Sydney Shout
Digital Manipulation
1st place - Wade Collard
2nd place - Set Lah Wah
3rd place - Joseph Camacho
Urbans
1st place - Set Lah Wah
2nd place - Bryan Trejo
3rd place - Edith Stokes
Honorable Mention: Wade Collard
Best of Show - Saira Olalde, "Rustic Beauty"
People’s Choice - Kelsi Wood, "Dumdum Delicious"
Children Division
People
1st place - Dealon Anthony
2nd place - Charley Cantrell
Fine Art
1st place - Charley Cantrell
Scenics
1st place - Makenzie Howard
2nd place - Niari Ramirez
Flowers
1st place - Charley Cantrell
2nd place - Charley Cantrell
Animals
1st place - Charley Cantrell
2nd place - Charley Cantrell
3rd place - Niari Ramirez
Poultry
1st place - Charley Cantrell
2nd place - Charley Cantrell
Best of Show - Charley Cantrell, "Waiting on Papaw"
People’s Choice - Charley Cantrell, "Hay Mom!"
Piney Woods Photographic Society Award
Bobbie J Wood “Why the Cow Jumped Over the Moon”
Janet Windham Hughes Memorial Landscape Award
Bobbie J Wood “Solar Eclipse”
Donna Warren Holt Memorial Flower Award
Roberto Diaz “Purple Hibiscus”
Thank you to the Light & Champion for being the Photography Show Platinum Sponsor!
October 7, 2024 (Photos, video in progress) - A fan favorite event of the festival to add to everyone's bucket list is the Poultry Festival "Strut, Cluck, and Crow" Clucking Contest! Participants each brought their unique interpretations of a chicken.
Thank you to the wonderful sponsors of the event. Platinum Sponsor was Debrah J. Worsham and Awards Sponsor was Tammy Steptoe Realty.
Peeps
The 2024 clucking contest results are:
Peeps 5 And Under:
1st place - Shepherd Coffman
2nd place - Danyon Smith
3rd place - Nahum Coffman
Honorable Mention: Elliah Brookshire, Ashton Hearn, Charlie Cammack, Kamille Bradshaw, Naomi Gandy, Amelia Windham, Emersen Wilburn, and Shaun Adkinson
Chicks 6-11
1st place - Zoey Smith
2nd place - Ellis Brookshire
3rd place - Liam Smith
Honorable mention: Jax Merchant, Matthew Hataway Jr., Kypton Taylor, Mady Traxlor, Bella Rae Hornbuckle, Lizzie Fae Hornbuckle, Gabby Mayo, Ellisyn Gandy, Jaycee Cooper, Raegan Wilburn, Rylinn Wilburn, Blakelee Ivey, and Rhett Adkinson
Pullets 12 - 16
1st place - Wyatt Foster
Roosters and Hens 17 and Up
1st place - Art Zapata
2nd place - Wayne Hornbuckle
3rd place - Clayton Paul Windham
Honorable Mention: April Merchant, Brenda Addison, Jordan Coffmen, William Jacobs, Charity Jacobs, and (team) Mary Helen Brown and Jen Ihlo