Shelby County Today

December 14, 2016 - (Album1, Album2) - East Texas Chopper Guys (ETCG) held their food and toy drive on Friday, December 9, 2016 through Sunday, December 11, 2016 at the Joaquin First United Methodist Church in Joaquin.

The main events were held on Saturday with a parade held on the city square. The parade route started behind Joaquin ISD, traveled U.S. Highway 84 and then onto the Joaquin square where the judges reviewed the participants. Judges for the parade were Paul Ragan, John Green and Dennis Casper.

Goodies and teddy bears were thrown to children along the parade route as floats and motorcycles traveled through. Once the parade completed everyone returned to the event grounds at the church where youngsters got to visit with Santa and tickets for the fundraiser continued being sold.

Once the results of the parade were tallied Dennis Leggett, event announcer, gave the results of the automobile and motorcycle show. Best Truck winner was John Stiles, Best Car was awarded to Billy Sandifer, Best Motorcycle went to William Carroll, and the People's Choice was Robbie Woodfin.

The Parade awards were then announced and 1st place went to Santa Claus on the Trike, 2nd place went to the Ace Hardware of East Texas float, and 3rd place was awarded to Robbie Woodfin. As "Santa Claus" and Ace Hardware each received the cash reward for the placement in the parade, they returned the money to the beneficiary of the event, Joaquin Christian Services run by Gayle Samford. Woodfin was not present for the awards ceremony.

An auction and raffle continued throughout the event, as well as a cake walk. Many great items were offered through the auction and the raffle. The winner of a Sanyo 42" television was David Stevens.

According to Nancy Stevens with ETCG, the event raised over $6,000 for Joaquin Christian Services and had a great turnout. ETCG is very appreciative of all the supporters who donated items and participated in the event.

December 14, 2016 - Magic is in the air....... The "Blue Santa Toy Drive" is in full force! The Center Police Department and Outreach Ministries have partnered to make sure that all the boys and girls of our county have a Merry Christmas!

Join Shelby Savings Bank by spreading the love of the season. Drop off a toy at our Center Main branch or at the Center PD by December 21st. 

Thank you Center Police Department and Outreach Ministries for your special delivery.

December 13, 2016 - The last Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours for the 2016 year was held at Mooney's Emporium on December 6th with those attending enjoying an array of refreshment products which are sold in the store. Door prizes were given away as well with the lucky winners being Kathy Nicoles, Anita Eddins, Jennifer Ingram, and Savannah Oswalt.

Those shopping during the Business After Hours event were also offered special saving opportunities by Mooney's Emporium. Chelle Mooney and her staff along with the help of Shelby County Chamber Ambassadors greeted everyone wishing them a Merry Christmas and helped them with their shopping needs.

December 12, 2016 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary held a Pearl Harbor memorial ceremony on the Historic Shelby County Courthouse lawn at the Veterans Memorial on December 7, 2016.

Larry Hume led the ceremony and following a prayer by post member Cynthia Islas, the pledge of allegiance was recited.

Hume thanked everyone at the event for their presence as they remember those who were at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii 75 years ago and specifically remembered those individuals from Shelby County.

"It all began when Japanese aircraft appeared in the air above Pearl Harbor Hawaii just before 8am on a Sunday morning. When the attack ceased shortly before 10am less than two hours after it had begun American forces had paid a fearful price," said Hume.

He reported 18 ships were either damaged or sunk, 180 aircraft destroyed, 2,403 were dead and thousands of others were wounded.

"Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke with forewarning when he stated, 'No matter how long it may take us to overcome the premeditated invasion, the American people will in their righteous might will win through an absolute victory. With the unbounding determination of our people we will gain inevitable triumph, so help us God.' And we did," said Hume.

Newton Johnson, Post Senior Vice, then hung the memorial wreath from the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.

The names of those veterans from Shelby County known to have been at Pearl Harbor were then read by Cynthia Islas, Sandy Risinger, and Becky Maidic. The names are as follows: Oswald "Bill" Adams, US Navy; Sidney A. Dry, US Navy; Sammie Lovell, US Army; Clarence "Chuck" Otterman, US Navy; A L "Mann Pinkston", US Navy; Glenn Prince, US Navy; V.A. "Buck" Reynolds, US Navy; Harold Rogers, US Navy - Seabees; Robert Rupe, US Navy; James R. Stephens, US Army; R.D. Strong, US Navy; Henry R. Victory, US Army; Willie Edward Windham, US Army; Earl O. Wood, US Army.

"Of all those names read, the last name, Mr. Earl Wood is the only one still alive in Shelby County. Not a native of Shelby County, but he has lived here for the past several years to be close to his family, he is part of our veteran family, he is 94 years old," said Hume.

Hume asked if anyone present had anything to say about Pearl Harbor or any relative who may have been there.

Evelyn Adams, daughter to Oswald "Bill" Adams took the opportunity to speak, "Daddy came back from the war, he didn't talk about it much. He had the visions, and he always heard the planes. The only he would tell us kids was describe the planes, he wouldn't talk about what happened."

Adams continued explained her father worked until he was 38 years old when he had his third breakdown. He had a body shop through which he supported his children.

"He got to where he couldn't go anymore, he got labeled with a lot of things that he didn't deserve. He was a very quiet man and he was a very good man, and we will always remember Pearl Harbor," said Adams.

At the completion of the ceremony, Taps was played as presented by John Piersol.