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Coming Soon: September 19
Light of the World
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Box office opens at 7:00pm. Showtime at 7:30pm.
Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children.
Senior Citizen's Night
Mondays - $6 Admission
Around Town
September 29, 2017 (Doo Dah Parade Photos - Album1, Album2, Chicken Cooking Photos - Album1) - The 41st East Texas Poultry Festival Doo Dah Parade, sponsored by Center Tire Company, was held Wednesday, September 27, on the Historic Downtown Center Square. A large number of spectators enjoyed the Queen’s Court candidate floats, civic organization and business entries. Junior Chamber of Commerce and Young Ambassador students led the parade.
Doo Dah Parade trophy winners include:
First Place – Windham Family Dental of Shelby County
Second Place – Center Garden Club
Third Place – Lawn Chair Brigade
The Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods was held after the parade. Chairman Denise Merriman announced the winners.
Adult Division
First Place – Shelby Savings Bank
Second Place –Farmers State Bank
High School Youth Division
First Place – Maurico Alejaldre Robles, Johali Aviles, and Jessica McSwain (Updated)
Second Place – Jacee Hooks
Third Place – Diana Jiminez
Youth Division
First Place – Zeke Richey
People’s Choice Award went to Shelby Savings Bank
Best Dressed Table went to Shelby Savings Bank.
The Queen’s Court parade winners will be announced Saturday, September 30, at the East Texas Poultry Festival Queen’s Pageant at 6:00 p.m. at Center High School cafetorium.
Gold Sponsors for the Doo Dah Parade are Ilho Sales and Imports Professional Title Services. Gold Sponsors for the Chicken Cooking Contest are K & L Contractors and Triple J Feed.
Farmers State Bank is this year’s East Texas Poultry Festival Presenting Sponsor. The traditional Cutting of the Feathers and Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by High Roller Wells, will be held Thursday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. on the downtown square. See you there!
September 30, 2017 (Pageant photos coming soon) - Macey Jo Hanson was crowned the 2017 Miss East Texas Poultry Festival Queen during the coronation ceremony held Saturday, September 30, 2017 after fourteen beautiful contestant took to the stage with their escorts.
The 2016 Queen Madelynn Hutchins was escorted by Klay Adkinson. The 2017 Princesses were: Rebekah Bridges, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willy Bridges, escorted by Brayden Strong, son of Mr. Michael Strong and Ms. Krista Warr; Paige Shedd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Shedd, escorted by Jacobi Jackson, son of Mrs. Barbara Jackson; Claire Spann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Spann, escorted by Bryce Cockrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Cockrell; Madison Russell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Russell, escorted by Jackson Cater, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Carter; Olivia Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Johnson, escorted by Blaine Agnew, son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Agnew; Alexis Berry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Berry, escorted by Kaleb Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jody Ferguson; Michalla Byrd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Joe Byrd, escorted by John Penning, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tyson Penning; Katie Nehring, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Nehring, escorted by Abram Morales, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Morales; Hannah Grace Jamison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Javey Jamison, escorted by Trevor Wilburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Wilburn; Madison Hicks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hicks, escorted by Austin Williford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gray; Kiersten Elizabeth-Marie Turner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Rodgers, escorted by Sam McSwain, son of the late Larry McSwain and Mr. and Mrs. John Jenkins; Victoria Cheyenne Byrnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Byrnes, escorted by Keaton Watlington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Watlington; Macey Joe Hanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hanson, escorted by John Grogan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Grogan; and Baylea Jane Bressman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Bressman, escorted by Axel Luna, son of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Luna.
Children of the Court were Dru Moody, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Moody, escorted by Kiptyn Phelps, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Phelps; Jacie Lee, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Lee, escorted by Conner Nutt, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerrod Nutt; and Bailey Miller, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hughes and Mr. and Mrs. Cody Miller, escorted by Kayden Nutt, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Mathews and Mr. and Mrs. Jerrod Nutt.
The top three contestants were Michalla Byrd, Kierten Elizabeth-Marie Turner, and Macey Jo Hanson. They were each asked the question by the master of ceremonies, Chris Watlington, "In a world full of followers, why do you think it is important to be a leader?"
Byrd responded, "I think it is very important to be a leader because you get to show others how the right way to go just like Jesus did in the Bible."
Turner responded, "In a world full of followers, I believe it is best to be a leader because... I think it's important to be your own person and let other people follow in your decisions in what you do and what you say, let who you are be shown and let everyone else see the light within your personality and who you are and want to be like you. Overall, I believe that it is important to be a leader and not a follower because when you are a leader people look up to you and it's a very high sense of independence and I just love that."
Hanson responded, "In a world of followers I believe its important to be a leader because sometimes people stray off their path and they need help... Five years ago, I was unfortunately diagnosed with a type of diabetes and thinking about a challenge I face everyday - it's a trial that you have to fight the good fight to win. And when I was sick in that hospital room, I had a very beautiful lady walk in, short blonde hair, I mean she lite up the room when she stepped in. And through all the changes I was dealing with in that moment in time, my world was falling apart is what I was telling myself and granted it was tough, but like I said, when she walked in she just lit the room up. And so ever since then I remember how I felt personally when she walked into that room and she asked 'Hey, how are you doing, my name is so and so, are you a cheerleader?' I said, 'Yes, ma'am, I'm a little sixth grade cheerleader.' She said, 'Do you make good grades?' I said, 'Yes, ma'am, I'm an all A student.' And she said, 'You know what, you are going to be ok, it's ok.' And so ever since that day, on January 7th of 2013, I told myself that's why I'm gonna make my career in the medical field. I'm gonna be there for people who need it at that moment in time because I've been to the bottom and I understand what it feels like and so, therefore, I'm gonna lead others and help them when needed."
The first runner up was Kierten Elizabeth-Marie Turner and the second runner up was Michalla Byrd
Additional awards presented during the ceremony were:
Parade Awards
Sweepstakes - Victoria Cheyenne Byrnes
President's Award - Madison Russell
Mayor's Award - Alexis Berry
Honorable Mention - Baylea Jane Bressman
Miss Congeniality - Madison Russell
Photogenic
Winner - Kiersten Elizabeth-Marie Turner
1st Runner Up - Michalla Byrd
2nd Runner Up - Rebekah Bridges
Essay
Winner - Claire Spann
1st Runner Up - Alexis Berry
2nd Runner Up - Hannah Grace Jamison and Paige Shedd
GPA (High School Academic Grade Point Average)
Winner - Michalla Byrd
1st Runner Up - Claire Spann
2nd Runner Up - Olivia Johnson
Participation and Honors in Activities
Winner - Claire Spann
1st Runner Up - Michalla Byrd
2nd Runner Up - Macey Jo Hanson
Social Skills
Winner - Macey Jo Hanson
1st Runner Up - Madison Russell
2nd Runner Up - Kiersten Elizabeth-Marie Turner
Interview
Winner - Macey Jo Hanson
1st Runner Up - Kiersten Elizabeth-Marie Turner
2nd Runner Up - Michalla Byrd and Claire Spann
Stage Presence
Winner - Kiersten Elizabeth-Marie Turner
1st Runner Up - Michalla Byrd
2nd Runner Up - Rebekah Bridges
Committee Award - Katie Nehring
Grand Duke Award - John Gavin Penning, Keaton Watlington, and Klay Adkinson
September 25, 2017 - We are down to the last few days before Super Wednesday! Come enjoy a day on the square September 27 and help us kick off the upcoming Poultry Festival! We will be starting the day with the Fajita Lunch at 11am. The Doo Dah Parade will be at 4:30pm, followed by the Chicken Cooking Contest at 5pm!
Bring your family and enjoy the festivities!
September 27, 2017 - The Center Fire Department is thankful for an anonymous donation which enabled them to replace their aging jaws-of-life. Fire Chief Keith Byndom said, “Because our jaws setup we had was old, we started having problems with it and we were looking at replacing our system. Someone stepped up and donated us the funds to be able to get a new system, we decided to go with a battery operated system.” Chief Byndom commented they chose the battery operated because it has a quicker response time due to it not having the larger power unit or the hoses for operation. The battery operated system is easier to load up and go as well as unload at the scene and get to work.
The new jaws-of-life is a combination system which cuts and spreads and has over 10,000 psi. It came with two batteries which have an estimated three month shelf life before needing to be recharged and has a minimum of a 45 minutes to an hour of continuous run time per battery.
The department was able to purchased the jaws which cost around $9,000 about a month ago. Thankfully they haven’t had to use the new system in the field; however, they are extremely thankful to have the new jaws because their use can mean life for someone trapped.
September 25, 2017 - The recent 2017 District IV workshop of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas was held in Tyler. District IV consists of twelve east Texas chapters, bounded on the north by Tyler and Longview, on the east by Center, on the south by Livingston and on the west by Mabank. Attending from the William Carroll Crawford Chapter were Judy Lee, Merle Howard, Barbara McClellan, Maggie Casto, Gail Sholar, Fay Eddins, Vickie Martin, Lavonne Wood, Carol Looney, and Alease Copelin. Also shown in the picture are DRT President General Barbara Stevens and District IV Representative Johnnie McWilliams.
After the Friday afternoon tour of the American Freedom Museum in Bullard, the host chapter sponsored a pizza party at the hotel, for an evening of fun, fellowship and embarrassment. The fun and fellowship was simply connecting with and seeing members from other chapters. The embarrassment was how little I knew about Texas during the Texas Trivia game. (Did you know that two soft drinks originated in Waco? Of course, Dr. Pepper, but also Big Red.)
Saturday morning, following the pledges to our US and Texas flags, the business session began. Reports from the State Board of Management (the State of the DRT message) and committee reports were given.
Breakout session for chapter presidents, chapter registrars and chapter treasurers were held, reminding those officers of changes concerning their reports and/or application occuring in the past year. Other chapter members heard the session on “Building a Strong Chapter” presented by President Barbara Stevens. Workshops deal with the day to day running of a successful chapter.
Ending the day, William Carroll Crawford Chapter President Judy Lee extended the invitation to the 2018 District Workshop, to be hosted in Center by the William Carroll Crawford Chapter.
Submitted by Maggie Casto
September 22, 2017 - Members of the community and Shelby County ambassadors turned out for a new member ribbon cutting at Payne & Payne Home N’ Suchlike on Friday, September 15, 2017 to celebrate with new owners Josh and Lacie Payne.
Chamber Ambassador president Andi Foster congratulated the Paynes on their new venture and thanked them for being a valued chamber member. Foster then invited Lacie Payne to share the history of the building and the new business, “The hardware store, Payne & Payne Hardware N’ Suchlike, started in 1915, it did close in 1996.” Payne & Payne was a hardware store and a gift registry and was owned by Vance and Billie Sue Payne.
Josh Payne added, “Lacie and I last year thought about bringing Payne & Payne back and so we did and Lacie did a lot of research on what was needed in town and what would be good. So, we decided to do it and we came up with Payne & Payne Home N’ Suchlike instead of Hardware N’ Suchlike.”
Lacie Payne gave appreciation to Billy Sue Payne for her blessings of the new business and to her parents Tom and Leslie Cheatwood for their consulting assistance.
Home N’ Suchlike offers home décor, shower registries & gifts, baby items, a selection of Melissa and Doug toys, Lodge cast iron skillets, HUK clothing, kitchen wares, and more. For more information on their products, they may be contacted at 936-598-3382.
September 21, 2017 - Grandchildren are hosting a 100th Birthday Celebration for Ford S. Brown, Sr. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 2pm to 4pm. He was born September 19, 1917.
It is a come and go event and friends and family are invited to come celebrate. No presents please. Call or text for directions 979-239-7130.
Ford S. Brown, Sr is a WWII veteran and he fought in the South Pacific Islands. He married Iva Nell Brown on June 28, 1938 and they celebrated their 75th anniversary last year.
From left, front row: Ashlynn Midkiff (HM), Giselle Olalde (3rd), Triniti Bell (HM), Holden Stone (1st), Anna Hagler (HM), Gracie Boyd (HM),
Back row: Brannon Denby (HM), Allison Hale (1st), Damien Horton (2nd)
September 21, 2017 - Center Intermediate School students, led by their GT teacher Mrs. Kris Rash, participated in the National Garden Club youth sculpture contest.
This contest encourages students to keep our planet green and to get involved with saving the environment as they create a sculpture with recyclable, reused, and reduced materials. These students were in the 4th and 5th grades at the time of the contest. Students were awarded certificates and cash prizes for winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Submitted by Alison Scull
September 19, 2017 - The 2017 Poultry Festival tee shirts have arrived!!!! They are available for purchase at the following locations: All Farmers State Bank locations – Main Branch, Roughrider Branch, Shelbyville Branch and Joaquin Branch; Citizens Bank; Sabine State Bank, The Balcony and The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
The 41st East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State Bank, begins with the Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by High Roller Wells, LLC, at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 5 and runs through Saturday, October 7.
For additional information, please call 936.598.3682, email info@shelbycountychamber.com or visit www.shelbycountychamber.com.
September 19, 2017 - This year's East Texas Poultry Festival entertainment lineup is welcoming an Austin, Texas duo to the stage - Lynette and Lefty.
Lynette and Lefty (Lynette Wolfe and David Gardner) are an Ameripolitan Honky Tonk Duo from Austin, Texas. The Duo has recently moved home to be close to family here in Center and are excited to perform at the Poultry Festival and become part of the East Texas community. Lynette and Lefty will be playing at 1:00 pm on both Friday and Saturday, October 6th and 7th. The Duo writes, sings and performs their own music, along with some great old time songs and a one of a kind vaudeville style act, they are completely entertaining and refreshing. You can find more information on the Duo on their website lynetteandlefty.com
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