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Around Town
March 1, 2017 - Participants of the Walk and Talk Nutrition and Fitness Program gathered at the old Center Elementary School Gym on Nacogdoches Street to kick off the 8-week program with a nutrition tip followed by a Zumba class.
Feleshia Thompson, Extension Assistant, spoke to the class about the program which includes steps to a healthier you, "Different things work for different people and you have to take small steps." She said it is important to find a balance between food and physical activity. "It has to be a lifestyle change," explained Thompson saying to start off small but continue to do it for it to work.
Speaking about nutrition she emphasized cutting out empty calories and making good choices and suggested using an app on your phone to help keep track of your progress. A handout was given with additional nutrition tips and recipes.
The Walk and Talk Nutrition and Fitness program has had over 100 people sign up. Thompson was thrilled, "This program is kicking off awesome. I'm new. I just started in January and to see the response is amazing. I am excited and encouraged!"
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is launching Walk and Talk, an 8-week program that encourages exercise and healthy eating. Participants are able to select each week a fitness class for free and are also able to select one nutrition tip class - Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Life with Feleshia and Jheri-Lynn. Weekly door prizes and incentives will be given to class participants.
The Extension office is partnering with Zumba Fitness instructors Denetra Slaughter and Celia Aguilar and Tri-County Jennifer Gillespie to provide weekly fitness (Zumba and walking) classes.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Jheri-Lynn McSwain, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences or Feleshia Thompson Better Living for Texans, Extension Assistant at (936) 598-7744 or jlmcswain@ag.tamu.edu or Feleshia.thompson@ag.tamu.edu or follow us on Facebook Shelby County Extension Service FCS.
March 1, 2017 - A crowd gathered around the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse in Center on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 to remember the service and sacrifice of those Americans who participated in the Gulf War 26 years ago.
Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Post Quartermaster, welcomed the few attending and Post Member Derwin Howell acted as Chaplain giving an invocation.
Hume then spoke to honor Desert Storm Veterans, "Gulf War, code name Operation Desert Storm, began on January 16, 1991. Coalition forces from 34 nations lead by the United States began aerial bombardment of Iraq. This was in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. A week later on January 24th, a ground assault began in the liberation of Kuwait and advancement in to Iraqi territory. And when the war ended February 28, 1991, 26 years ago today, 148 Americans had died in battle and there was another 145 non-battle deaths and 467 wounded in action."
Recognition was then given to Gulf War veterans in attendance and those who families were in attendance - Past Post Commander Mike Langford, Derwin Howell, Jr., Duane Howell, and William Lassiter.
Hanging the wreath honoring Desert Storm was (left) Auxiliary Member Shannon Guynes whose brother William Lassiter served in Desert Storm and (right) Virginia Howell whose sons, Derwin Jr. (US Army Retired) and Duane (US Air Force Retired) Howell both served.
TAPS was then played as presented by VFW Member John Piersol.
February 28, 2017 - Thanks to all who contributed to the SCCAC Princess Ball! Our community is so fortunate to have people who care deeply about the wellbeing of our children.
Thank you to all who served as a sponsor of the event: Boom Boom Photo Booth, Cline Family Medicine, GCS Cakes by Cindy Metteauer, Hughes Florist, Monco Motor Co, Nix Forest Industres, Quickstop Stores, The Reserve, Smith’s Sawmill Service, Shelby Savings Bank, Snell Photography, Trails End Grocery & RV, and Ultra.
We would also like to thank all those who made donations, including Center High School, Wal-Mart, Timpson High School, Few Ready Mix, Chick-Fil-A, Three Birds Photography, Brookshire’s, As You Wish Photography, Citizens Bank, Megan Jackson Photography, Cornerstone Construction, and Leah Chase Photography.
Finally, we would like to thank all of our volunteers who worked hard to make the Princess Ball go smoothly (too many to name, but you are greatly appreciated!) and our local media for your coverage of the event (Light and Champion, Center Broadcasting, and Shelby County Today).
February 27, 2017 - On February 13, 2017, Woodmen Life Chapter 250 presented Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Shelby County with a donation of $1,000 in support of the Shelby County Community Garden project.
The donation was accepted by Jheri-Lynn McSwain, Shelby County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. Mrs. McSwain provided the Woodmen with an update and results from the 2016 garden and shared plans for the upcoming spring planting with members. Goals for this year include increasing volunteer support, conducting a corn variety taste test, planting additional tomato plants, and measuring pounds of vegetables produced. Vegetables grown in the community garden are provided to the Shelby County Senior Nutrition Site and Meals on Wheels program to support the nutritional health of senior adults in our county.
If you would like information on this program, please contact county Extension agents Jheri-Lynn McSwain, Family and Consumer Sciences at jlmcswain@ag.tamu.edu or Lane Dunn, Agriculture and Natural Resources at jldunn@ag.tamu.edu or by phone at 936-598-7744.
Related Link - Shelby County Community Garden Reaping the Harvest
February 27, 2017 - (Album) - The Old Spanish Trail ride kicked off Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Joaquin Logansport Bridge on Haslam Strip.
As the riders on horseback crossed the bridge, they began their weeklong 216 mile trek to Houston. As the riders crossed into Texas, they were escorted by the DeSoto Parrish Sheriff's Department and, until he was called away for an emergency, were also assisted in their travels by Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3.
After the riders traveled through Joaquin, they continued on U.S. Highway 84 toward Tenaha and then on to Timpson where they camped in So So Park for the night before continuing their journey Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 59
February 26, 2017 (More Photo - Album 1, Album 2) - The Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center hosted a grand celebration with princesses from all over at their annual Princess Ball held Saturday evening at the John D. Windham Civic Center February 25, 2017.
Attendees entered to a red carpet affair with a grand crown overhead while escorts walked their elegantly dressed princesses down the walkway into the great hall. Jesse and Shanell Ruiz were the DJs providing non-stop fun which was added to by the arrival of surprise guests - East Texas Poultry Festival Queen Madelynn Hutchins, Disney princesses and Happy Bear. Miss ETPF lead everyone in dancing the chicken dance.
Everyone enjoyed refreshments, a princess color station, and hours of dancing. As each honored guest left the ball they were presented a beautiful flower to remember their night of wonder.
Video coming soon!
February 23, 2017 - The following Lil' Dragon students at Self Defense America tested for new ranks on January 27, 2017. They passed with flying colors!
From left: (Back Row) Aiden Hughes, Aiden Wallace, Avery Lawson, Axel Perez, Caitlyn Broussard, Emerson Wulf, Hudsyn Wulf, and Caitlyn Madden. (Front Row) Elijah Sanford, Zachary Payne, Jaden Kahn, Ryder Moody, Caleb Sanford, Edwin Vasquez and Ailin Perez.
We are excited about their hard work and accomplishment. Congratulations to all our new ranks.
February 23, 2017 - The monthly meeting for the Shelby County Museum was held Tuesday, February 21, 2017. The meeting was held at the Shelbyville Methodist Church. Opening prayer was given by Teddy Hopkins and the pledges to the flags were led by Ann Bowen. Ann then presented the speaker for the program, Merle Howard, who would give a history on the historical Methodist Church.
Merle then introduce Buster Bounds, County Historian, who was videoing the program, and introduced the Methodist Church pastor, Sherry Harding. Merle stated much of the history of the church had been compiled by Juanice Powell.
The church is in the Eastern District of Texas Conference and all the architectural elements of the building points up to our Heavenly Father, the gothic windows, high pitched room, the steeple, and the pews hand made by architect, J.M. Pigg. The present building was built in 1897 after a storm destroyed the original building.
The men of the church cut cypress trees in the Sabine River bottom which were then hauled by mule drawn wagons. These trees were cut into 18-inch blocks from which shingles were cut to roof the building by using a drawing knife. The roof and steeple were braced with enough timber, it was said, to build a house.
The finial on the steeple was made from the end of a large timber which extends downward into the steeple, some eight or 10 feet.
Lightning struck the steeple in 1973 and again in 1985. After this the steeple was top with copper to help prevent future strikes.
In the 1970s the rails surrounding the altar and pulpit were redone. Until that time there was only one pulpit and it stood in the center of the floor. A new pulpit was built to match the original by John Doggett. Mr. Doggett and John Howard rearranged the rails as they are now.
The original flooring was replaced under the direction of James Powell. The flooring was laid from ash, hickory, maple, oak, persimmon, sassafras, and walnut timbers and was left unstained after it was recently refinished.
In 2009 the foundation of the steeple was found to be in a weakened state. As the bell in the steeple weights nearly 1,000 pounds the bell wasn’t rung for nearly a year. After the steeple foundation was repaired the bell now rings in each Sunday morning service.
In 2013 the painting “Easter Morn” by Fredrick W. Cole of Canterbury, England was cleaned. The painting was presented to the church by N.O. Thomas in the 1970s. It took Beth Crafts over a year to clean the painting.
Ms Howard shared with the group that no church would be complete without the faithful members dedicated to the history and restoration of the building.
The Shelbyville Methodist Church of Shelbyville claims that it was organized in 1825. Tradition holds the first church service held in Shelbyville was in 1825 by “Brother” James English. Another early preacher was Henry Stevenson who was there from 1834-1836. William C. Crawford came in 1836 and added 200 souls to the membership of the church.
Teachers had a great part in the formation of the early church. A young lady from New York answered an ad for a teaching position in Melrose, Texas. This was the future wife of W.C. Huntington, Mary. She helped organize the first Sunday school program, the Women’s Society, and the Juvenile Society which was the forerunner to the Methodist Youth Fellowship program. Mr. Huntington died in 1864 leaving Mary with 2 sons. Mary Huntington died in 1911 and her portrait is in the history room of the church.
February 23, 2017 - Center Broadcasting celebrated their 68th Anniversary with an open house on Wednesday, February 22nd. Current Center Broadcasting team members welcomed past team members and community members who have been longtime faithful listeners and callers from over the years.
Everyone enjoyed browsing through old photo albums and news clippings while reminiscing over the past 68 years.
Refreshments were served as everyone could hear Mattie's Party Line playing over the intercom in the office.
Click the image above for a larger version
February 21, 2017 - Gibsons Energy held a ribbon cutting event on February 9, 2017 at their location just off Loop 500 in Center, 1524 Shelbyville Street, and helping to celebrate their new membership with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce were the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
Andi Foster, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador President, introduced the company and welcomed them as a member. Leonard Dupuis, Gibsons Regional Manager, was introduced and he enlightened everyone he is the Regional Manager for Gibsons of all the Haynesville and North Louisiana area.
"We're actually a reclamation company for oil based cuttings, we're a service company. We service the rigs that run the equipment, frac tanks, pumps," said Dupuis.
In the past, Dupuis says, oil based cuttings would go to landfills and be buried in the ground. What Gibsons does is recycle the diesel from the cuttings, re-sell it and prevent it from going into the ground as used to occur.
Dupuis remarked he has a great staff and he introduced Dawn Ellington, Customer Service Rep; Denise Mathews, Office Manager; Bobby Head, Plant Manager; John Davis, Process Head.
"Gibsons bought CHI in December 2012. Gibsons is about a $6 billion to $8 billion company based out of Canada and the United States, publicly traded," said Dupuis.
According to Dupuis, Doug Wilkins is the president of U.S. Operations and Joey Shaw is the company's vice president based out of Louisiana. The company is hoping to employ 150 by February 2018, which Dupuis says Wilkins has all the intentions of seeing the company grow.
"We do want to participate in like the truck pull and whatever other activities that we can do for the community, we'll be glad to do," said Dupuis.
Gibsons does business with a lot of companies like as XTO and Chesapeake to name a couple. Dupuis said since October 2016, when they serviced around 28 rigs in the area, their service load has increased to closer to 50 rigs at the time of the ribbon cutting with the anticipation of being at around 75 rigs in 90 days from that time judging by the recent increases. They service East Texas and the West Louisiana area.
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