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Around Town
July 8, 2017 (Photos Album1, Album2) - A large crowd gathered under the big tent for the 2017 East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant to see all the pageant entries take to the stage in their cutest watermelon attire. The pageant, hosted by Tonya Bailey with Bailey's Pageant, welcomed everyone and thanked sponsors of the event. Wiggins Farms donated $500 scholarship money for the pageant for the winner of the Miss (16-19) division.
The Texas Watermelon Queen Chloe Brown assisted with handing out awards and crowning the winners of each division. Below are the results of the pageant:
Grand Supreme for ages 0-5 years - Aryn McAdams
Grand Supreme for ages 6 and up - Steff Moore
People's Choice winner - Mary Katherine Johnson
Baby Miss 0-11 months
Baby Miss East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Rory Wilson
Best Smile - Addilyn Moore
Most Beautiful - Aryn McAdams
Best Fashion - Mia Lloyd
Princess - Tayley Williams
Princess - Adalynn Whitney
Princess - Mia Lloyd
Princess - Addilyn Moore
Princess - Aryn McAdams
Princess - Keeleigh Denby
Toddler Miss 12-23 months
Toddler Miss East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Emory Gomez and Anniston McSwain
Best Smile - Emory Gomez
Most Beautiful - Savanna Barton
Best Fashion - Anniston McSwain
Princess - Gracie Sanford
Princess - Blakely Raymond
Princess - Savanna Barton
Princess - Addlyn Hendricks
Princess - Mary Katherine Johnson
Princess - Hattie Owens
Tiny Miss 2-3 years
Tiny Miss East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Emory Thornton
Best Smile - Olivia Randle
Most Beautiful - Cherrish Choice
Best Fashion - Emory Thornton
Princess - Makayla Messer
Princess - Kirstie Parks
Princess - Emma Moore
Princess - Ainslee Gibson
Princess - Olivia Randle
Princess - Cherrish Choice
Little Miss 4-5 years
Little Miss East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Emma Stapleton
Best Smile - Shelbey Nail
Most Beautiful - Emma Stapleton
Best Fashion - Remi Lofton
Princess - Aryana Groze
Princess - Laura Moody
Princess - Presley Williams
Princess - Remi Lofton
Princess - Khaley Fletcher
Princess - Shelbey Nail
Princess - Baylee Parent
Princess - Justice Boyd
Petite Miss 6-8 years
Petite Miss East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Lakynn Bowers
Best Smile - Sofia Bocangegra
Most Beautiful - Lakynn Bowers
Best Fashion - Nicole Hooks
Princess - Nicole Hooks
Princess - Dixie Nail
Princess - Sofia Bocangegra
Preteen 9-12 years
Preteen East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Carolyn Mathis
Best Smile, Most Beautiful, Best Fashion - Carolyn Mathis
Teen 13-15 years
Teen East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Zoe Horton and Mahalia Ratcliff
Best Smile - Zoe Horton
Most Beautiful - Mahalia Ratcliff
Best Fashion - Zoe Horton
Miss 16-19 years
Miss East Texas What-A-Melon Pageant Queen - Steff Moore
Best Smile, Most Beautiful, Best Fashion - Steff Moore
July 8, 2017 (Album1, Album2, Album3, Overall Results) - All of the 5K racers have crossed the finish line and the final results are in. Antonio Chavez and Madison Brown clinched the overall top spot for the second consecutive year. Chavez improved his time of 18:45 last year by nearly 3 minutes with 15:51 this year. Brown also ran a faster race with a time of 23:49 under last years 24:18.
Wiggins Farms and Luke Brown Farms donated watermelons for the event to help hydrate 5K participants as well as sponsored the event along with Farmers State Bank, JBA Financial, and Boles Feed Store. Special thank you to the John D. Windham Civic Center and the City of Center for the use of their facility.
Overall Male
1. (Bib# 165) Antonio Chavez, Time 00:15:51.54
2. (Bib# 172) Jacob Garcia, Time 00:16:37.78
3. (Bib# 116) Jesus Gonzalez, Time 00:16:42.30
Overall Female
1. (Bib# 110) Madison Brown, Time 00:23:49.95
2. (Bib# 171) Sunshine Haley, Time 00:24:58.84
3. (Bib# 113) Deborah Chadwick, Time 00:25:33.78
Female 5 - 12
1. (Bib# 122) Kaylee Underbrink, Time 00:40:38.70
2. (Bib# 142) Anayeli Martinez, Time 00:40:42.91
3. (Bib# 161) Destiny Thompson, Time 00:53:49.41
Female 20 - 29
1. (Bib# 110) Madison Brown, Time 00:23:49.95
2. (Bib# 109) Fabiola Solis, Time 00:33:32.80
3. (Bib# 148) Olivia Worsham, Time 00:34:03.09
Female 30 - 39
1. (Bib# 169) Sammie Bell, Time 00:35:45.45
2. (Bib# 164) Marlene Hernandez, Time 00:41:08.37
3. (Bib# 121) Shanna Wiggins, Time 00:44:18.15
Female 40 - 49
1. (Bib# 171) Sunshine Haley, Time 00:24:58.84
2. (Bib# 163) Sarah Shires, Time 00:34:03.56
3. (Bib# 123) Jeneva Underbrink, Time 00:37:41.98
Female 50 - 59
1. (Bib# 113) Deborah Chadwick, Time 00:25:33.78
2. (Bib# 127) Hermila Mendoza, Time 00:30:06.64
3. (Bib# 120) Ellie Fullinwider, Time 00:47:14.46
Female 60 - 69
1. (Bib# 118) Marcy Aldridge, Time 00:31:13.54
2. (Bib# 124) Loretta Waldrop, Time 00:40:16.36
3. (Bib# 149) Debrah Worsham, Time 00:44:01.63
Female 70 - 100
1. (Bib# 128) Dottie West, Time 00:50:18.83
Male 5 - 12
1. (Bib# 158) Diego Ruiz, Time 00:35:32.62
Male 13 - 19
1. (Bib# 165) Antonio Chavez, Time 00:15:51.54
2. (Bib# 172) Jacob Garcia, Time 00:16:37.78
3. (Bib# 116) Jesus Gonzalez, Time 00:16:42.30
Male 20 - 29
1. (Bib# 159) Brayan Ruiz, Time 00:19:25.76
2. (Bib# 136) Jonaton Rangel, Time 00:22:14.91
3. (Bib# 125) Matt Cecil, Time 00:48:58.43
Male 30 - 39
1. (Bib# 160) Thomas Morrison, Time 00:23:55.44
2. (Bib# 107) C.J. Goings, Time 00:25:35.98
3. (Bib# 153) Walter Horn, Time 00:35:36.58
Male 40 - 49
1. (Bib# 119) Wayne Hornbuckle, Time 00:23:02.25
2. (Bib# 155) Matt Chamness, Time 00:39:34.47
3. (Bib# 157) Barrett Underbrink, Time 00:57:03.83
Male 50 - 59
1. (Bib# 106) Bill Small, Time 00:27:40.56
2. (Bib# 162) Willie James, Time 00:29:55.85
3. (Bib# 117) John Black, Time 00:30:11.73
Male 60 - 69
1. (Bib# 144) Jim Sawyer, Time 00:30:02.47
Male 70 - 100
1. (Bib# 129) Joe West, Time 00:50:17.44
July 7, 2017 - Race bibs and shirts can be picked up in front on John C. Rogers store on the square on Shelbyville Street from 5:30pm until 6:30pm Friday, July 7th. They can also be picked up before the race at the John D. Windham Civic Center.
Registration is available starting at 6pm before the race Saturday, July 8th. The fun run will begin at 7:00am and the 5K at 7:30am at the John D. Windham Civic Center. Both events are for people of all ages. You can walk or run either event. Strollers are acceptable.
For those registering on race day, the cost is $25 for the Fun Run and $25 for the 5K. Shirts are available for the first 125 entries so sign up fast!
Related article: What-A-Melon 5K to Benefit Children’s Advocacy Center, New Race Course (Form Added)
July 7, 2017 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce would like to announce that Center Glass is under new ownership. As of July 1, Justin and Anna Lee became the new owners of the company. The public and Chamber members will be invited to a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new ownership at a later date.
Center Glass is a family owned business specializing in auto, residential and commercial glass installation, shower doors, mirror replacement and drop ceilings. All of the same friendly faces remain there to help you with all of your glass needs! Go by and see or call Tiffany Pope, Office Manager, or Brian Lewis, Project Manager at (936) 598-9190 for any assistance.
For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or info@shelbycountychamber.com.
Jeff "CryptoHulk" Stewart emceeing the 2015 Pet Show
July 6, 2017 - Come out and sign your favorite pet up for the What-A-Melon Festival pet show which starts at 6pm Friday, July 7 under the big tent on the downtown Center Square. Pet sign-up starts at 5:30pm.
Celebrity emcee for the pet show is Tenaha resident Jeff "CryptoHulk" Stewart, a wildlife expert and Cryptozoologist. An encounter when he was 15-years-old with something in the woods led Stewart to cryptozoology, which he describes as the study of undiscovered and undocumented animals. He goes out looking for animal species that have yet to be scientifically proven.
Appearances include Monsters and Mysteries in America, Survivorman Bigfoot and Finding Bigfoot while Jeff also has been featured on over 100 podcasts and is a regular guest on Moore Outdoors with Chester Moore on KLVI AM radio in Beaumont Tx. Jeff spends most days in the river bottoms of Eastern Texas investigating the strange weird tales which come from every corner of East Texas.
Pets of all kinds are welcome. Dress them up in watermelon attire to help them win the hearts of the judges. No large farm animals please. Pet owners are responsible for controlling and cleaning up after their pets.
July 7, 2017 - Album - This has been a good year for watermelons in Shelby County with sixteen of the twenty-six watermelon entries weighing over 100 pounds according to Mayor David Chadwick who was the official weigh-in judge!
In 2015 none of the watermelon entries tipped the 100 pound mark and in 2016 only four of the entries exceeded the triple digits. Both of those years Doug Cogswell of Joaquin took home the big prize money. However, the Johnson Family took back bragging rights and the cash winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Olivia Johnson who held the 1st place title for five years in a row, 2009-2013, regained the 1st place slot.
Royce Johnson, a relative of the top three growers, said in 20 years of participating in What-A-Melon he hasn't seen this many big melons at one time. Mother nature has been good this year with the right amount of rain as too much rain was the culprit in 2015 causing only low weights and half the entries. This year it even rained during the weigh-in.
The Rotary Club of Center presented over $5,000 in prize money. Emcee for the watermelon weigh-in was Jason Balkcom, past-president of the club and festival chairperson. He announced the results throughout the event and the prize money was presented to the winning growers by Texas Watermelon Queen Chloe Brown.
A special thank you goes to 936 Crossfit for coming out to help with moving the large number of heavy entries.
Shelby Savings Bank, City of Center, and Focused Care of Center are Platinum Sponsors for the festival. Deep East TX Electric Coop, East Texas Poultry Supply, and Farmers State Bank are Gold Sponsors for the festival.
Watermelon Weigh-in Results
1st place and $2,500 - (melon #27) Olivia Johnson, 142.50 lbs
2nd place and $600 - (melon #30) Jenny Johnson, 136.00 lbs
3rd place and $500 - (melon #33) Louise Johnson, 135.25 lbs
4th place - (melon #7) Rex Rains, 127.00 lbs
5th place - (melon #28) Renee Johnson, 125.25 lbs
6th place - (melon #34) Faith Kruebbe, 121.00 lbs
7th place - (melon #29) Shelby Johnson, 120.25 lbs
8th place - (melon #31) Catch Bragg, 119.75 lbs
9th place - (melon #32) Dylan Jones, 118.50 lbs
10th place - (melon #26) Cherish Bragg, 114.00 lbs
11th place - (melon #3) Dylan Lout, 111.00 lbs
11th place - (melon #35) Hope Kruebbe, 111.00 lbs
12th place - (melon #2) Ali Brooke Lout, 107.50 lbs
13th place - (melon #24) Doug Cogwell, 106.00 lbs
14th place - (melon #8) Sophia Rains, 105.00 lbs
14th place - (melon #19) Will Lucas, 105.00 lbs
15th place - (melon #4) Shad Lout, 96.00 lbs
15th place - (melon #11) Jaleigh Johnson, 96.00 lbs
16th place - (melon #14) Whitney Johnson, 93.25 lbs
17th place - (melon #10) Tate Johnson, 93.00 lbs
18th place - (melon #9) Hali Simpson, 87.00 lbs
19th place - (melon #1) Casey Lout, 84.00 lbs
20th place - (melon #23) Lexie Bliss Terrell, 81.00 lbs
21st place - (melon #6) Colby Lout, 79.25 lbs
22nd place - (melon #5) Eli Lout, 79.00 lbs
23rd place - (melon #25) Amber Terrell, 77.00 lbs
Past years 1st place melons
2016 - Weighed 112.00 lbs, Doug Cogswell of Joaquin (Cogswell Wins Largest Watermelon Competition at 2016 WAM Festival)
2015 - Weighed 96.00 lbs, Doug Cogswell of Joaquin (Cogswell Wins Largest Watermelon Contest; Melon Weights Low Due to Rain)
2014 - Weighed 144.00 lbs, Jimmy Matthews of Joaquin
2013 - Weighed 163.25 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2012 - Weighed 168.75 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2011 - Weighed 146.5 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2010 - Weighed 147.00 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2009 - Weighed 153.25 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2008 - Weighed 151.75 lbs, Darrell Matthews of Joaquin
July 6, 2017 - The Shelbyville Lions Club will be selling funnel cakes and sweet tea along with raffle tickets for our upcoming drawing in October.
This is the 2nd year the Shelbyville Lions Club will participate in the Watermelon Festival. Proceeds go toward our scholarship fund, emergency assistance fund for families in need, supporting local children attending Lions Camp for the disabled, numerous Lions Club International projects and a long term goal of establishing a permanent facility for the SLC and Shelbyville Community.
Raffle items include a Traeger Pellet Smoker, Portacool, Core 15 AR, Rossi 410, Henry Golden Boy, Savage 110 with scope, Marlin 336 with scope and a Century Arms 9mm Canik. The drawing will take place on October 21, 2017 during our Happening at Shelbyville Hill Fest.
Thank your for supporting the Shelbyville Lions Club!
July 6, 2017 - It's What-A-Melon Festival time on the downtown square! Come bring the kids out and enjoy the rides along with festival activities including the festival's signature event, Largest Watermelon, which has 26 entries this year! Weighing of the melons starts at 6pm following opening ceremonies which is at 5pm.
Arm bands are available all three nights of the festival. Bands are $20 per night and are good Thursday night from 5:30pm until 10pm; Friday night from 5:30pm until 10:30pm and Saturday night from 5:30pm until 10:30pm.
Special thanks to Shelby Savings Bank, City of Center, and Focused Care of Center who are Platinum Sponsors for the festival and to Deep East TX Electric Coop, East Texas Poultry Supply, and Farmers State Bank who are Gold Sponsors for the festival. Don't forget to buy a festival t-shirt (article link) for a souvenir you can enjoy for years!
Entry buttons are $5 per person and are good for all 3 days of admission. Free admission for children ages 5 and under.
Thursday, July 6th
5:00pm - Opening Ceremony (related article)
6:00pm - Largest Watermelon Weigh-In which has 26 entries!!!
7:00pm - Entertainment – Gospel Night
7-8:00pm - Strong Triump Church
8-9:00pm - Prince of Peace
9-10:00pm - The Thompson Brothers
10:00pm - Festival Closes
Friday, July 7th
5:00pm - Rides & Vendors Open
5:30pm - Pet Show – Sign Up
6:00pm - Pet Show
7-8:00pm - Drew Miller
10:30pm - Festival Closes
Saturday, July 8th
7:00am - Kid’s Fun Run *
7:30am - 5K Watermelon Crawl * (article link)
10:00am - What-A-Melon Queen Pageant (article link)
3:00pm - Rides & Vendors Open
4:00pm - Seed Spitting & Speed Eating Contests
5:00pm - Entertainment Under the Big Tent
5-6:30pm - Jeremy Bowley and Legal Limit
6:45-8pm - Kelly Amburn and the Texas Thunder Band
8:15-10pm - Zack Mason and the Jars
10:30pm - Festival Closes
* Events to be hosted at the Windham Civic Center. 146 Express Blvd. Center, Texas 75935
Related articles:
- What-A-Melon Festival T-Shirts are Ready!
- 2017 Texas Watermelon Queen Coming to Festival
- Watermelon Growers Invited to Enter Largest What-A-Melon Contest
- Early Entry Deadline June 10th for What-A-Melon Festival Pageant
- What-A-Melon 5K to Benefit Children’s Advocacy Center, New Race Course (Form Added)
- Rotary Club Reveals Winner of 2017 What-A-Melon Logo Contest
July 4, 2017 - Shelby County Criminal defense lawyers Deck Jones and Jeff Adams stood upon the Historic 1885 Courthouse June 30, 2017 to celebrate the significance of Independence Day as a part of a statewide effort by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Lynda K. Russell was scheduled to participate; however, she was unable to attend due to another engagement.
Jones explained for the audience attending the event, 241 years ago there was a committee appointed by the Continental Congress to draft the Declaration of Independence, it was a five person committee, and out of that committee they appointed Thomas Jefferson to write the first instrument. After about three weeks, he came forward with that instrument to which the committee made some changes, and made a final draft which they presented to Congress the end of June 1776.
Additional changes were added and it was once again presented to Congress on July 3, 1776. Between that time and July 4, 1776 the members of the Continental Congress signed the document and started publishing it on July 5. In honor of that, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association had representatives read the Declaration of Independence in 254 counties across Texas.
July 3, 2017 - Toledo Finance celebrated their 50th Anniversary with the help of the community, customers, family and friends stopping in to congratulate them on their 50 years. As part of the celebration and as a thank you to everyone who stopped in, door prizes were given away including a patio set with lots of accessories.
Leslie Jordan, District Supervisor, said, "Thank you to everybody who came out to help us celebrate our 50th year in business. It was humbling to see the turn out of not only customers but neighbors in the business community who just stopped in to congratulate us. We want everyone to know we are here to help when they need us."
Jordan continued to talk about the company and how they work to help people establish their credit without getting them stuck in a high-cost loan such as payday loans which can be a very costly way to borrow. They come due sometimes within a 2-week period and if paying in full, the loan may not seem to be too bad; however, extending the loan can carry big fees and high interest. When you make a payment here it doesn't just go to interest, it goes towards your balance.
Toledo Finance has fixed interest rates and a fixed repayment period. The loan application is easy and can require much less documentation than a bank would require explained Jordan.
They offer small loans such as credit starter loans, signature loans, and secured loan for up to $1,340. Small loans are the answer for those unexpected emergencies or utility bills, special trips or purchases such as Back-to-School clothes and supplies, or the much wanted or needed small home improvement project.
According to toledocorp.net, Toledo Finance was started in 1967 when Pat Buddin opened Toledo's first office on December 1st with a goal to be the best in every community served. Being the best creates a great working environment with opportunity for advancement for its employees who deliver the best small loan experience for the customers. Toledo Finance now has 70 office locations across the state of Texas and every office lives the motto: “Our Community, Our Customers, Our Pleasure.”
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