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October 19, 2016 (Album1, Album2) - The 5th Annual Happenings at Shelbyville Hill Festival hosted by Shelbyville Lions Club was held Saturday, October 15, 2016 and was an attraction for many seeking entertainment, food and a variety of gift ideas for any occasion.

Kellie Baty wins the big pumpkinsProceeds from the event will go toward high school scholarships, and community projects with which the club is involved. To kick off the event, Vanita Sims sang the National Anthem and several bands performed for those attending including Steel Country Band, Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band, and Bluebirds Blues and Rock Band. Between sets, DJ Jesse Entertainment provided music.

The Shelbyville Lions Club currently has over 30 members. Several activities were held during the festival including a 42 tournament with 13 teams, washer tournament, car show, pumpkin weight guessing contest, and cake walk.

Event results are as follows:

42 Tournament Winners
1st place - Bobby "Red" Halbert and Gary Grubbs
2nd place - Royce Johnson and Don Lovell
3rd place - Jimmy Lout and O.L. Hendricks

Washer Tournament Winners
1st place - Dwayne Brister and Connie McSwain
2nd place - Robbie Sullivan and Preston Whitney

Raffle Winner
Marlin 30-30 donated by Raymond Construction - Shad Lout
Henry Golden Boy donated by JML Management, Inc. - Kyle Stewart
Rossi-Braztech Youth 410 donated by Covington Lumber - Kevin Jones
Portacool 3000 - Kevin Jones
Master Built Propane Smoker - Brad Johnson

Big Pumpkin Winner (Actual weight of both pumpkins just over 99 lbs)
1st place $100 - Starla Monville (Guess 101)
2nd place $50 - Kellie Jean Baty (Guess 105)
3rd place Pumpkins - Kellie Jean Baty (Guess 107)

Car Show
Best in Show - Bill Arnold with '37 Ford

Modern Muscle - Richard Kirkley with '06 Corvette

60 and Up:
1st Place - Richard Kirkley with '06 Corvette
2nd Place - Michael Meeks with '67 Camaro
3rd Place - Dickie Gilchrist with '75 Corvette

59 and Under:
1st Place - Bill Arnold with '37 Ford
2nd Place - Billy Neal with '57 Chevy
3rd Place - Jeanie Rhodes with '55 Ford

People's Choice - David Clark with '55 Chevy

The mission statement of The Shelbyville Lions Club is to impact communities with inspirational ideas through motivation and to awaken pride and purpose through creative action. The goals and visions of The Shelbyville Lions Club are:
• To strive to implement the Lions Club International Mission Statement: To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
• Identify and preserve the local heritage by protecting and embracing the historic imagery and working together with historians and multi-generational citizens
• Promote and foster local community pride and tourism though participation efforts with the arts, cultural and heritage related activities and events
• Advance and encourage economic development opportunities with local organizations and businesses
• Establish and create a local community facility to accommodate theatrical productions, festivals, workshops and to provide a meeting space for educational institutions and civic organizations

October 19, 2016 - The Center Police Department along with their families would like to thank all who helped make possible the Back the Blue BBQ on October 14th at the Hampton Inn. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is so greatly appreciated. It is people such as you in our community that makes doing what we do easier. Again, thank you for your support.

Photos from Event - Album
Related article - Back the Blue BBQ

October 19, 2016 - On Tuesday, October 18th, a large crowd at the Shelby County Museum was privileged to hear an enlightening account by Honorable Judge Benny C. Boles of his years playing football for Center and Sam Houston State. Boles graduated from Center High School in 1952, graduated from Sam Houston State College in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration. Upon his graduation, he entered the military as 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry where he served for 3 years. While living in California, Boles continued his education at Cal Poly by obtaining a teaching certificate. Boles then returned to his home town of Center and was the head baseball coach, also teaching elementary, high school, and served in an administrative position totaling 7 years.

During this time, he received his Master Degree from Stephen F. Austin. At the age of 30, Judge Boles entered Law School at the University of Houston and received his Law Degree June 1969 at the age of 33. Boles practice law in League City for two years returning to Center. June of 1972 he opened a law office.  In 1980, Judge Boles ran for District Judge for 123rd District Court which consisted of Shelby and Panola counties. This began a career that span 14 years winning 4 terms. Judge Boles retired from office midway through the 4th term on January 1, 1995. For the next 15 years, Judge Boles became a visiting judge holding court in Houston/Dallas for 12 of those years.

Judge Boles asked the group, “How did a country boy who lived out on 699 cross the railroad tracks and who lived in a dog trot house came to wear a football uniform?” He stated his achievements in life were the results of a plan, God’s plan. He credited his ability to follow the plan to his loving mother, father, and good teachers who saw something in him. Boles shared how he grew up with the strong influence of his working mother and father, Paul and Rosie Lee who owned a café first located across from the post office and later the Booty Ross café in East Center.

When WWII broke out, many of the men joined the service but those left went to Houston, Orange or Port Arthur to work in the shipyards. Many of these positions were filled by women as there were few men around to do the jobs. Boles stated his family moved to the Houston area so his dad could work in the shipyards. Boles had a very hard time in a larger school system and he was bullied by other students. His mother realized he wasn’t going to make it in the Houston school system and moved him and his sister back to Center.

Boles credited his 2nd grade teacher, Miss Iva Nell Conway, in helping a shy troubled boy get interested in school again. He stated that if it hadn’t been for good teachers he would never have gotten into a football uniform. Boles stated he probably only weighed about 100 pounds as a junior and only played a few plays. In his senior year, weighing in at 120 pounds, he was co-captain of the Roughrider team. Many thought he was too small to play but his coach, R.E. Malone, assured him he would play his senior year. He started off as quarterback but was moved to running back when the quarterback was injured.  

His outstanding performance his senior year resulted in his getting a full athletic scholarship to Sam Houston. At Sam Houston, he won many football awards. He lettered in 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1955. He was NAIA All-America 1955 and All-Lone Star Conference in 1954 and 1955. Boles was a member of the 1955 Lone Star Conference championship team and he ranked 11th in Bearkat career rushing in 1978 with 273 carries for 1,792 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was inducted in to the Sam Houston Hall of Fame in 1978. Today, he still ranks in the top 15 at number 14 in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Two of his favorite scriptures are Psalms 139:13-16 and Jeremiah 29:11. This was the plan God had for him, and this enabled him to get the education he needed to succeed in life. He just followed God's game plan.

The Shelby County Museum is located at the corner of Pecan Street and Thomas Street and is open Monday - Friday from 1pm until 4pm. The museum is currently displaying Shelby County Sports memorabilia. Come and take a walk down memory lane. You might just learn something about someone you know!

October 19, 2016 - Members of the VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary recognized women in service of the military at an event held Tuesday, October 18, 2016 on the Center square.

Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, welcomed everyone to the event and led the opening prayer as well as the pledge of allegiance. He then explained why the event was being recognized. He stated the history of women in the armed forces began more than 222 years ago with women serving during the American Revolution continuing into present day.

"Today we honor all the women who have served courageously, selflessly and with dedication in times of conflict and times of peace. Women whose achievements have gone far too long without being recognized and ignored," said Hume.

Hume described several of the responsibilities women have shared as they served on the battlefield as nurses, water bearers, cooks and saboteurs. He stated during the civil war women disguised themselves as men in order to serve.

"Dr. Mary Walker received the medal of honor in 1865, the only woman to receive the nation's highest military honor," said Hume.

Hume explained that during the Spanish-American War in 1898, from which the VFW was founded, thousands of soldiers became sick with typhoid, malaria and yao fever.

1,500 contract nurses were assigned to army hospitals, as well as the hospital ship named Relief. 20 of these nurses died as a result of their contact with the soldiers," said Hume.

Over 21,000 nurses served in World War I in the United States and overseas.

"The Navy and Marine Corps enlisted thousands of women to free up men to fight. 400 hundred military nurses died during World War I," said Hume.

During World War II there were more than 60,000 nurses serving stateside and overseas. Captured by the Japanese were 67 Army nurses in the Philippines in 1942 who were held as prisoners of war for over 2 1/2 years.

"Over 150,000 served in the WACS, as they were called then, with thousands sent to the Pacific and Eurpoean theaters. 800,000 joined and served in the Navy and the Marine Corps also enlisted women to release men for combat," said Hume. "In the Korean War the women who joined the reserves following World War II were involuntarily recalled and more than 500 Army nurses served in combat zones in Korea."

Over 7,000 military women served in Vietnam with the majority of them being nurses. Hume stated an Army nurse was the only U.S. military woman to die from enemy fire in Vietnam with six others dying in the line of duty. 1971 saw the promotion of the first woman to the rank of Brigadier General in the United State Air Force and the first women completed the aircraft maintenance school in the Air Force.

According to Hume, in 1973 the first women earned their pilot wings. In 1974 an Army officer becomes the first woman military helicopter pilot. This was followed in 1976 by the admission of women into all service academies and in 1978 the Marine Corps promoted its first woman to the grade of Brigadier General. Also in 1978, the WAC (Women's Army Corps) was disestablished and all of its members integrated into the regular Army.

In 1983 200 Army and Air Force women were among forces deployed to Grenada. 1984 for the first time in history the Naval Academy's top graduate was a woman. Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm saw the deployment of 40,000 American military women and two of them were taken as prisoners of war by the Iraqis.

1998 saw the first woman fighter pilot drop a payload of missiles in combat. By year end in 2004, 19 service women had been killed in combat since the war began in 2003. In 2005 the first woman in history was awarded the Silver Star for combat action. For the first time in history in 2008 a woman was promoted to the rank of Four-star General.

"Last year, 2015, three women Army officers now wear the coveted Ranger tab on their uniform and they also all happen to be United States West Point graduates," said Hume.

Women who have served were recognized and Hume stated it is not complete; however, are the names he knows.

The reading began with Linda Morris reciting the list from World War I: Elizabeth Davis Holmes, U.S. Army Nurse, Walter Reed Hospital, passed October 1956; Florence Daniel Shepherd, U.S. Navy Yeoman 3rd class, passed November 1976.

Leigh Porterfield read names from World War II: Emma G. Baldwin, U.S. Navy Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer, passed December 1989; Lucy Helen Black-Stupic, U.S. Army Nurses Corps Lieutenant, passed March 2006; Catherine Bradberry, U.S. Army Nurses Corps 1st Lieutenant; Bonnie M. Christian-Modiz, U.S. Army Private, passed March 2011; Lexa Dickerson, U.S. Navy Nurses Corps Lieutenant-Junior Grade; Lois Duhon, U.S. Army Nurses Corps 1st Lieutenant; Charlsie Emanis, U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class; Hazel Greer, U.S. Army Private 1st Class; Ellen Gregory, U.S. Navy Specialist 3rd Class.

Becky Maidic continued reading names from World War II: Bernice Oswalt Moore, U.S. Navy Yeoman 2nd Class; Ruth L, Nash, U.S. Army Nurses Corps Lieutenant; Mablyne Ortiz, U.S. Army Technician 5th Grade; Geneva Oswalt, U.S. Navy Yeoman 3rd Class; Mildred Lawson Partlos, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal; Pauline Permenter, U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class; Onnie Lois Robert-Stanley, U.S. Army Sergeant, passed June 1992.

Sandy Risinger read the final names from World War II: Edna M. Rogers, U.S. Army Sergeant, passed away 1988; Sarah Lynn Sanders, U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant; Loyce L.M. Suri, U.S. Army Private 1st Class; Clara Maurene Tatum, U.S. Army, passed December 1990; Warrena Alexander Taylor, U.S. Army Nurses Corps Lieutenant, passed October 2002; Virginia K. Walker, U.S. Navy Lieutenant; Dorothy M. Woods, U.S. Army, passed 1982.

Hume then read the names of several in the VFW Post and Auxiliary including: Barbara Hughes, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class, Auxiliary Member; Laresa Hall, U.S. Army, VFW Post Member; Jennifer E. Adams, U.S> Air Force Staff Sergeant, Osan Ab, Korea, VFW Post Member; Jessica A. Armstrong, U.S. Air Force National Guard Staff Sergeant, Iraq, VFW Post Member; Addie A. Boyd, U.S. Army Specialist Four, Iraq, VFW Post Chaplain; Cynthia M. Islas, U.S. Army Sergeant, Panama, "Operation Just Cause."

Another name added on the morning of the event was that of Rena Rodgers, U.S. Army Sergeant, who served in Desert Storm, and Bosnia. She now lives in Colorado Springs. Rogers is sister to Leigh Porterfield who was given the honor of hanging the memorial wreath in honor of those who served and still serve.

TAPS was then played as presented by VFW Member John Piersol.

Photo: from left---Sandra Davis, Library Director, and Kathy Sawyer, Grant ManagerOctober 18, 2016 - President Joe Anderson called the Golden Harvest Ministries Club to order at 11:30 am at the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church in Center on October 17.  Joe welcomed members and recognized visitors.  Harold Hanson led the group in singing several hymns.  Alice West accompanied on the piano with a group of members singing "On The Jericho Road."  Celebrating October birthdays were Vance Green and Ruby Switzer.
 
Danny Brown blessed the food and gave thanks for the food preparation, and members and guests enjoyed the luncheon and fellowship.
 
Sandra Davis, Library Director, and Kathy Sawyer, Grant Manager, of the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library spoke about what is available at our local library.  The library's mission is to maintain and improve the quality of life for all citizens of the community by providing resources that contribute to the individual knowledge, enlightenment, and enjoyment in the most efficient and user friendly manner possible.  They especially recognize the responsibility to serve as a place for children to discover the joy of reading and the value of libraries.
 
Chairman of the Nominating Committee Darlene Brown announced the 2017 Slate of Officers:  President, Helen Collard; 1st Vice-President, Linda Anderson; 2nd Vice-President, Blanche Haley; Secretary, Ellen Manning; Treasurer, Joe Anderson; and Reporter, Linda Bordelon.  Linda will also continue to decorate the tables as a Center Garden Club project. 
 
Secretary Ellen Manning read the September minutes, and Treasurer Betty Green gave the financial report.
 
Linda Anderson reminded members to bring items to the November meeting to benefit the Shelby County Advocacy Center.
 
Ann forbes discussed those on the prayer report, and members remembered all in a special prayer led by David Bain.  Ann encouraged all to visit those in our area nursing home.  Joe Anderson gave the final prayer.

Submitted by Linda Bordelon

October 17, 2016 - Pineywoods Beekeepers Association President Mike Bordelon presented a power-point program on the construction and management of his Long Box Hive, a unique honey bee habitat, to members of the PBA in Lufkin at their Oct. 13 meeting.  Mike, who owns and operates Heavenly Honey Apiary on Toledo Bend Lake in Huxley, Texas, also demonstrated a step-by-step procedure in making creamed honey.

October 17, 2016 - The Center Athletic Boosters would like to announce that Ray and Kevin Jones from Center Motor Company have graciously offered to partner with the Athletic Booster Club to bring to Roughrider Stadium it's Lincoln - Drive promotion.

On Friday, October 21 from 4pm to 10 pm in the FL Moffett parking lot behind Roughrider Stadium, Center Motor Company will be set up for all Roughrider Football fans to come and test drive a new Lincoln vehicle.

For each test drive, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the Center Athletic Booster Club.

Come out and support your Roughriders by participating in this Lincoln-Drive Event and be sure to tell Ray, Kevin and any of the Center Motor Company crew thanks for their continued support of Center Roughrider Athletics!

Click to enlarge scheduleOctober 10, 2016 - Happenings at Shelbyville Hill Festival Schedule of Events

Saturday, October 15, 2016 (10am to 5pm)
Shelbyville, Texas

7am to 9:30am - Vendor Set Up
9:30am to 10am - 42 Tournament Setup and Starts at 10am
10am - Festival Begins
10:30am - National Anthem and Singing featuring Vanita Sims*
11am - Steel Country Band Begins
12:30pm - Washer Tournament Setup and Starts at 1pm
1pm - Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band Begins
2:30pm - Bluebirds Blues and Rock Band Begins
3:30pm - Car Show Judging Results
4pm - Guess the Pumpkin Weight Winner Announced
4:30pm - Lions Club Raffle Winners Announced

*Performance time may vary by a few minutes depending on set up

Enjoy these events all day long! - Classic Car Show, Pumpkin Patch, Local Crafts, Cake Walks, Food Booths starts at 10:30am, Children's Area

Event hosted by the Shelbyville Lions Club.

October 13, 2016 - Timpson High School FCCLA partnered with First Baptist Church, Timpson for their Warm Coats Warm Hearts project. Students that donated were Alexus Wallace, Hannah Fabian, Cutter Smith and Mamie Taylor (not pictured). They are shown with William Daniel pastor of the First Baptist Church. The items will be distributed Saturday, October 22 from 10 am to noon at First Baptist Church, Timpson, 712 N. 2nd Street.

October 13, 2016 - Center native and Auburn University Professor Emerita Mary Helen Brown returned to her hometown last week for a reading and signing of her new book, “Headed for Home.”

Hosted by the Center Woman’s Reading Club and the Carthage Book Club at the First United Methodist Church in Center, Texas, Brown entertained attendees by reading an excerpt of “Headed for Home” on Thursday. Brown’s sixth grade teacher Fannie Watson introduced her to the group, and Brown concluded the meeting by signing books for friends both old and new. 

The Center Woman’s Reading Club was started in 1896, and Brown was honored by the invitation to read at their meeting. Storytelling has always been an integral part of Mary Helen Brown’s life. “My family is full of these outrageous people who had these outrageous stories to tell,” Brown said. “That’s where it all started.” 

While in Center, Brown spoke to a few dual-­‐enrollment classes at Center High School, called the high school football game, and participated in a few events at the Poultry Festival. It was no coincidence that Brown’s visit coincided with the 40th annual Poultry Festival. Brown’s mother Nell Brown was actively involved in producing the first Poultry Festival in order to celebrate her beloved town. 

Brown said that “Headed for Home” is her “love letter to Center.” “Headed for Home” is available for purchase at Nettie’s Nook and Sammich Shop on the square in Center, as well as amazon.com.

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