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June 13, 2017 - After months of work and dedication, the vision for Portacool Park is a reality. The park will officially open Saturday, June 17, 2017, during a celebration planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring fun for the entire family.
“At Portacool, we are proud to call Center our home,” said Ben Wulf, CEO of Portacool, LLC, the naming sponsor of the park and funding partner. “This project has been possible in part because of all of our hardworking employees, both past and present. We are excited and honored to be able to give back to the city and community that has provided us a platform to become a globally recognized company.”
Portacool Park is the culmination of more than a year of project planning and coordination of funding from Portacool, LLC, a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, the City of Center and the Street Improvements for Economic Development. The renovated park facilities include a quarter-mile walking trail, restroom facilities, azalea garden, covered pavilion/basketball court, a multi-purpose soccer/football field that will accommodate CISD athletics and, of course, specially designed cool zones featuring Portacool evaporative coolers.
“With common vision, cooperation and community partners such as Portacool, it is amazing what can be accomplished,” Chad Nehring, City Manager, said. “We are so pleased with the results of these efforts and cannot wait for everyone to come out and enjoy this asset to our community.”
Please plan to join Portacool employees and City representatives during the opening event on June 17 as they welcome you to the newly renovated and expanded park. Hot dogs, popcorn and more will be available to the public.
Related article:
Portacool Representatives, City of Center Celebrate Portacool Park Groundbreaking
June 15, 2017 - Week two of the Center Library Summer Reading program got off to a 'rockin' start with Sara Ward, "The Story Lady" on Thursday, June 15th. The Story Lady had the little readers jamming with their air guitars while taking them on an adventure with music inspired story time. The Tweens will meet at 2pm to enjoy another week of Lego creation. The theme for week two of the Tween program is transportation.
June 15, 2017 - The next library Summer Reading Program day is Thursday, June 15, 2017. The younger children will once again meet at 10:30am and the program will be Sara Ward, The Story Lady.
This will be the first time for The Story Lady to be part of the Summer Reading Program.
June 14, 2017 - Flag Day was recognized and celebrated at the City of Center’s Senior Citizen Center on Wednesday, July 14, 2017 with VFW Post 8904 members and Auxiliary members installing new American and Texas flags.
Post Quartermaster Larry Hume welcomed everyone attending which included Shelby County Outreach Ministries Executive Director Sherry Harding, workers at the Senior Nutrition Site, and members of the community.
Hume said, “During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating that 'the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white' and that 'the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field.' The National flag, became known as the 'Stars and Stripes,' according to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new design for the stars and stripes, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request of General George Washington. Historians have been unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend. With the addition of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that only stars be added to represent new states. On June 14, 1877, the first flag day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the stars and stripes. In 1949 congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a national day of observance. And here we are 140 years after the first Flag Day and I am proud to be here.”
Chaplain Cynthia Islas lowered the colors and Jr. Vice Jason Samford removed the American Flag, presenting it to Post Commander Gene Hutto and Senior Vice Newton Johnson, Jr. who then folded it. Service Officer/Trustee John Piersol handed the new American Flag and Texas Flag to Samford to attach to the flag pole. With a salute, Islas hoisted the colors.
Following the hoisting of the flags, everyone adjourned inside the Senior Citizen Center for lunch.
The current flag pole was donated by the Post and Auxiliary with a dedication held on June 13, 2014 in memory of Pam White who passed away in April 29, 2014 and was the executive director of Shelby County Outreach Ministries from 1995-2014.
Thanks to the Center ISD’s high school CT Counselor Alease Copelin and the school's Flags to Fight Hunger initiative, the American Flag was seen flying all over Center in local neighborhoods and businesses for Flag Day as well as other major patriotic holidays. The program, launched on Veteran’s Day 2014, was a way to show support for our country while feeding hungry children. Flag partners can join the program at any time. Interested businesses or home owners can contact CHS and ask to speak with Alease Copelin, Counselor.
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June 14, 2017 - The Texas Watermelon Queen will be the special guest at the East Texas What-A-Melon Festival coming July 6th, 7th, 8th.
The Texas Watermelon Queen is special to Shelby County as she is Miss Chloe Elizabeth Brown from Center, Texas. She is the daughter of Keith Brown and Beth Brown and a 2015 Graduate of Joaquin High School. Miss Brown is currently a junior at Stephen F. Austin State University where she is studying mass communications with a concentration in advertising and public relations. In 2015 Chloe earned a Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP) certification in Orlando, Florida.
This is not the first time Miss Chloe has traveled representing Shelby County. In 2014, as a junior in high school, she traveled to London, England and was honored to march in the Queen's parade after earning All-American honors during UCA Cheer Camp the previous summer.
Now Chloe is traveling all over Texas as the Texas Watermelon Queen and is once again representing Shelby County well. She was crowned queen in November of 2016 at the Texas Watermelon Association Convention which was held in McAllen.
She has been promoting watermelons at various events and festivals since including Alamo Watermelon Festival held this past May.
Miss Texas Watermelon Chloe Brown's visit to the festival is being sponsored by Wiggins Farms and Luke Brown Watermelons.
June 14, 2017 - President Nora Robinson and Fannie Watson, members of the local Delta Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, presented a grant-in-aid check for $700 to Tracy Bryant.
Tracy, a Joaquin ISD teacher, is studying to obtain her Masters Degree in the field of Special Education. The Delta Gamma chapter has members from Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby County.
June 13, 2017 - Timpson's Frontier Days envoy including the Pony Express and Marilyn Corder, representing the Timpson Area Chamber of Commerce, continued traveling to neighboring cities Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
The group started off during the morning in Timpson and city representatives Leslie Leathers, City Secretary, and Paula Mullins, Municipal Court Clerk, joined the group on the Timpson square at the gazebo to receive the invitation to the celebration.
From there the travelers moved up the highway to Tenaha to extend the invitation to the community there. Once on the square, they were joined by representatives of Tenaha including Carl Jernigan, Tenaha Mayor; Sheryl R. Clark, City Secretary; Elizabeth Swint, Municipal Court Judge; Vickie Jernigan, Community Planning and Events Coordinator; Allison Rhone; Jake Metcalf, Precinct 4 Constable; Brenda Raybon, and Linda Raybon.
After the visit to Tenaha was completed, the party journeyed to the Gary square where they were greeted by Pam Woodfin, City Secretary. From there, the trip continued to the final destination of Carthage and once there to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame & the Tex Ritter Museum.
Danny Dixon, riding on his horse Jalapeno "Pepper," was joined with his granddaughter Sarah Dixon, astride Floyd, with her riding partner Delayna Higginbotham gathered before the statue of Tex Ritter in front of the music hall of fame. They were joined by many representatives of Carthage including: Denise Meek; Becky Barlish; Bill Smith, Debbie Allums, Dena Wilson, Tommie Ritter Smith, John Ray, Tommy Brown, Renee Nolan, and Mayor Lynn Vincent.
Timpson is getting ready to celebrate and all are welcome at the Frontier Day's Celebration on June 29th, 30th, July 1st, 2nd.
Related article:
Pony Express Rides into Center Delivering Frontier Day's Invitation
From left: Denise Meek (Farmers State Bank), Meg Camp (Chamber of Commerce President), Deborah Chadwick (Chamber of Commerce Interim Executive Director), Danny Dixon on Jalapeno "Pepper" (Pony Express rider), Rose Dixon, Marilyn Corder (Frontier Days representative), Delayna Higginbotham on "Floyd" (Pony Express rider), and Sarah Dixon.
June 12, 2017 - The Pony Express rode into downtown Center on Monday, June 12th to invite everyone to the Frontier Day's Celebration on June 29th, 30th, July 1st, 2nd.
Danny Dixon riding on Jalapeno "Pepper" handed an invitation for the Frontier Day's Celebration to Deborah Chadwick, the Chamber of Commerce Interim Executive Director and the wife of the City of Center Mayor David Chadwick who was unable to be present due to a meeting. Dixon has been the official pony express rider along with his horse Pepper for many years. Pepper is 20 years old and has been with Dixon for 18 of those years.
Marilyn Corder's granddaughter, Delayna Higginbotham was riding "Floyd" to assist with delivering the invitations around the East Texas area.
The invitation had the following information: The Timpson Area Chamber of Commerce would like to invite the citizens of Center to our Frontier Day's Celebration on June 29th, 30th, July 1st, 2nd. Please come and join us for a great time of fun. Gospel concert and carnival on the June 29th at 6:30pm at First Baptist Church.
Pre-sale tickets at Timpson Public Library, King's Nursery in Tenaha, and First Baptist Church, Timpson. Tickets are pre-sale $8 or at the door $10.
Carnival downtown has armbands which are good from 6pm until 10pm.
Country music and carnival on June 30th both downtown with armbands good from 6pm until 10pm.
Parade starts the day on July 1st and the festival goes all day into the evening with a street dance and cake auction. Carnival armbands are good from 6pm until 10pm.
Evening service at 7pm on July 2nd downtown.
Armband tickets for the carnival are for sale at the Timpson Public Library for $15 in advance or $18 at the carnival ticket office.
Related Article:
Frontier Days Pony Express Riders Continue to Spread Word of Celebration's Approach
June 12, 2017 - For the past 19 years Pam Phelps has been a blessing to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership, passion and love for the Chamber and community will be missed. It would be impossible to know how many lives she has touched. We will be experiencing her impact on the area for many years to come. Pam will be greatly missed but we were honored with her dedication as she taught us so much over the years. Her lessons taught will continue to guide us throughout the years to come.
The chamber staff, board of directors, ambassadors and myself send our thoughts and prayers to Pam’s family.
Meg Camp
President of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
Editor's note: The funeral service for Pamela M. Phelps will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, June 12, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Center. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall immediately proceeding the service.
June 11, 2017 - The Truitt Cemetery Association recently held their annual reunion at the Truitt Cemetery, located about six miles southwest of Joaquin off Highway 7. The cemetery was founded by James Truitt on July 3, 1848, at the death of his wife, Sarah Hall Truitt. There is a state historical marker near her grave. Descendants of those buried in the cemetery meet every year to share stories and memories, to meet old friends and make new ones and to honor their ancestors who came before them. And, of course, to enjoy a meal together.
Following the short business meeting, members of the William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas held a ceremony honoring James Robert Latimer, a Citizen of the Republic of Texas. Tina DuBose , his great great-grandaughter,shared a brief history of James Robert Latimer and his father Robert W Latimer, who came to Texas in 1839. A bronze "Citizen of the Republic of Texas" medallion was placed on his grave to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas. Several members of the Latimer family attended the reunion and took part in the ceremony.
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