Around Town
September 13, 2016 - Tri-County Community Action Agency Head Start had a special guest speaker on Monday, September 12th. The City of Center Mayor David Chadwick stopped in to talk to the 33 kids in the program who are ages 3 and 4-year-olds.
Mayor Chadwick had the kids sitting in a circle around him while they spoke about the city, the library, the fire department, the police department, and water.
Commenting on the experience, Chadwick shared a part of his conversation with the children, "Where do we get our water and one of them said from God. And I said 'well, after God makes it sometimes it's dirty, what do we do about that?' So, we talked about different things they use everyday."
Mayor Chadwick mentioned he learned from the children as well concerning the library and the water-park and their experiences with both. The children also suggested the City put in a zoo.
September 13, 2016 - The kick-off for Walk Across Texas was held Saturday, September 10th at 8:00 a.m. at the Center City Park off Roughrider Drive.
All the participants walked or ran the 5K which is 3.1 miles! The trail started at the park down by the baseball fields and weaved around the pond, up the hill towards the high school football field main entrance, though the walking trails which come out by the John D. Windham Civic Center, around it and across the bridge, and then go back the same way back to the park pavilion by the pond.
The program has 234 who have signed up and are divided into teams. Jheri-Lynn McSwain, AgriLife Agent and program leader and participants, encouraged all those who attended the 5K and congratulated them on taking the first steps to a healthier life. The program is team based and team members are encouraged to cheer on each other and together they are to walk 900 miles, the distance across Texas.
The 8 week program's goal is physical activity that equates to 900 miles either as a team or as a solo walker and the team and solo walker that walks the most miles during the contest will be awarded prizes. The Shelby County Fit - Walk Across Texas is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program and is in partnership with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Health & Fitness Fair Committee.



September 12, 2016 - Friends of the Library are asking for donations of used paperback and hardback books in good condition. No encyclopedias or textbooks please. Books may be brought to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library during regular library hours. The books will be sold in the fall book sale to be held Tuesday, October 25th through Saturday, October 29th. All proceeds will go to the library for the purchase of new books. Any volunteers who can help with sorting of books may call Melba at 936-591-7036 or Amy at 936-657-8529.

Click the above photo to see a larger image
September 11, 2015 - A Patriot Day remembrance ceremony was held on the Center square Friday, September 9, 2016 in recognition of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. VFW Post 8904 hosted the event led by Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, and several representatives of law enforcement and other emergency personnel spoke.
Citizens of Shelby County were also in attendance for the event which reflected on the terrorist attack on the United States and the over 3,000 lives lost in the attack. Karen Jones, Center First United Methodist Church Minister, provided the opening prayer for the ceremony. Following the opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
"We're here this morning to honor the over 3,000 people who died on September 11, 2001 and all those who have served and sacrificed greatly in the years since the war on terror," said Hume.
Hume listed the names of Shelby Countians who have lost their lives since the war against terror began. Larry E. Polley, Jr. killed in Iraq January 17, 2004; Kevin Casey Roberts, U.S. Army, killed in Afghanistan May 7, 2008; Cory J. Bertrand, U.S. Army, killed in action Afghanistan October 14, 2008.

"The war on terror; however, has not been confined to military actions. Many of our first responders right here on the home land have shared all of this service and all of this sacrifice, and your presence here this morning continued the spirit of unity and patriotism reborn that day in 2001," said Hume.

Introduced by Hume, and speaking on behalf of first responders in Shelby County were Derrick Lightfoot, Center fireman; Jim Albers, Center Police Chief; Willis Blackwell, Shelby County Sheriff; and Jessie Griffith, ACE EMS Manager. Each reflected on the tragedy of September 11, 2015 and the effect it had and has continued to have for all Americans.
Griffith placed the memorial wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial, after which Hume reminded everyone to remember Mike Wood who formerly played the bagpipes at VFW events and who passed away December 2015. A moment of silence was had followed by playing of Taps. Leigh Porterfield then led everyone in singing God Bless America.




September 10, 2016 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society (PWPS) will hold their regular monthly meeting Saturday, September 17, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church basement on Porter Street, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. There will be a workshop featuring "FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY" and the September Challenge is"Sunsets/Sunrises". Members can submit their photographs for judging/critiques, getting feedback and help for future photographs. Everyone is invited to attend. Photography lovers of all levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced. There is something for everyone.
PWPS would like to welcome new member Sam McSwain.
Entries for the Poultry Festival Photography Exhibit will be taken during this meeting. For more information on the club meeting or the photography contest, contact Billie Jones, jonbill392@hughes.net or text or call 936-591-2426.
The August Challenge Winners are as follows:
Theme: Skies/Clouds

(Top left) 1st place - Jan Carter, (Top right) 2nd place Tie - Bobbie Wood, (Bottom left) 2nd place Tie - Billie Jones, (Bottom middle) 3rd place Tie - Sam McSwain, (Bottom right) 3rd place Tie - John Piersol
Article submitted by Billie Jones

September 10, 2016 - Ryan Moore has been fighting Leukemia, and has been in Memphis, Tn. receiving treatments. When Center Police officers learned of Moore's return to Shelby County, they had the brilliant idea to give the young man a welcome home.
According to a Facebook post made by the family, a doctor who has been treating Ryan says the percentage of Leukemia is zero and he is cancer free at this time.
Ryan's mother, Sheri Moore, stated, "Ryan will still undergo treatment for 2 1/2 years to keep it from coming back but right now this very second our baby is cancer free!!! Ryan is proof of the amazing power of God!!!"
As Moore and his family were entering the Center city limits, they met up with several police officers at McAdams Propane where Moore and his mother got to ride in a police car.
The Moore Motorcade, made up of a series of Center police vehicles and the Moore's car, began traveling Hurst Street at around 10:25pm south to San Augustine Street, where they turned heading toward the square. Ryan was reportedly grinning all the way as lights flashed and sirens sounded announcing his return.
Shelby County Today was on the square as the cars entered the square and captured the moment as Ryan traveled past the historic courthouse with his escort.
The line of cars came to a halt at Shady Oaks where Ryan and his mother disembarked the police car so he and his family could continue the final stretch of roadway home. Following the tiring journey all the way from Memphis, the family was undoubtedly energized for the final leg of their journey home.
Related story:
Center PD Engages in Operation Razor Sharp; Thank You from #TeamRyan
Related video:
September 8, 2016 - San Augustine ISD has constructed a temporary, special memory wall in the front lawn of the High School. Students and community members are invited to bring and leave memorabilia such as flowers, notes, pictures, etc. in honor of LaSharvia Edwards. The temporary memorial will remain through the weekend. Please be mindful that all remembrances will be collected and passed on to the family.
September 7, 2016 - Deep East Texas Beekeepers Assoc, would like to thank Chris Moore President of Texas Beekeepers Association and Owner of Moore’s Honey in Kountze, Texas. Chris talked about how honey sell’s itself! Bee travel around the world to pollenate different vegetables and trees.
How some producers calm to be raw honey but add other ingredients. Pay attention to the labels of production. Buy local honey ask: to look at the bees, look at extractor, look for bee equipment. This is a real beekeeper. If it doesn’t look busy it is probably not real raw honey!

September 5, 2016 - The Timpson B&B Food was the location of a truck giveaway on September 2, 2016 where Brandi Hinton was awarded her new truck and Shelby County Today was on scene to participate in the excitement.
Hinton related the story of receiving the phone call announcing she was the winner, and how she didn't believe the phone call was real. She started to believe her husband was playing a practical joke on her.
"I called him like 50 times to tell him, 'you're not gonna believe this, they just called me on this truck!' And he wouldn't answer," said Hinton.

William Hinton, her husband, said when he got to his truck where his phone was he had 15 missed calls and he thought something was wrong. When Brandi Hinton told her husband she won the truck he didn't believe her either.
"I just knew he was playing a joke on me, and then I went two weeks and haven't heard a word from them and I'm thinking, 'he's playing a joke now,' I really thought it was a scam," said Brandi.
Sally Alvis, Director of Public Relations - Brookshire Brothers, congratulated Hinton on winning her new truck and introduced Brookshire Brothers representatives who were there to celebrate her win. Those introduced were Jarod Bentley, B&B Food Store Manager, who presented Hinton with the keys to her new truck; David Hailey, Brookshire Brothers Store Manager - Center; Mike Williams, Brookshire Brothers Store Manager - Joaquin; Michael Hooks, Brookshire Brothers Store Manager - Carthage; Russ Reader, Brookshire Brothers District Director.
Representing Tipton Ford-Lincoln was James Daily, New Car Sales Manager.

Brookshire Brothers released the following statement in recognition of Hinton's win.
Good times are in store for a Timpson, Texas shopper! Brandi Hinton has driven off the Brookshire Brothers B&B Foods parking lot with a lot more than groceries. Hinton and thousands of other Brookshire Brothers shoppers and Celebrate members have been taking part in the Good Times Summer Giveaway promotion.
Every time they shop, customers collect game tickets that can be entered on-line for more than $4 million in cash, product and prizes.
Hinton recently found out that shopping with her hometown Brookshire Brothers pays! She's won a 2016 Ford F150 which she was presented with on Friday, September 2 at the B&B in Timpson!

Hinton's one of three truck winners this summer. A Wimberley man won the first and the drawing for the final truck is next week. Two ladies have driven off in brand new Polaris Ranger Crews – Susan Starr from Crandall and Amy Jezek from Tioga and customers from Lufkin and Newton have won %5,000.00 in shopping sprees!
The Good Times Summer Giveaway adds a little fun to the grocery shopping experience. Customers collect the tickets then enter the Pins and Good Points on-line.
Hinton's name was pulled from the random drawing of all of the Pin numbers entered for the Ford F-150. Before the summer promotion ends on September 6, the Lufkin-based grocer will give away one more Ford F-150, another Polaris Ranger and one more $5,000 shopping spree.

In addition to the big prizes, shoppers earn free product and collect Good Points that can be redeemed for certificates to receive dollars off their groceries. Big winners this summer include shoppers from Trinity, Crandall, Lufkin and Newton, Texas. There are many more to come.
Brookshire Brothers is employee-owned and community driven. Its assets include 110 retail outlets incorporating grocery stores, convenience stores, as well as free standing tobacco, pharmacy and petro locations. Its footprint stretches east to Lake Charles, La., west to Dublin, Tx., north to Whitesboro, Tx. and south to Ganado, Tx.
It will open four new Express format stores this year including locations in Grapeland, Wells and Hudson. For more information about Brookshire Brothers and its family of brands please visit www.brookshirebrothers.com.

September 2, 2016 - VFW Post 8904 Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary members gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on Wednesday, August 31, 2015 to honor Veterans of the Iraq War with Larry Hume, Quartermaster, leading the ceremony.
"The war in Iraq began on March 20, 2003 and continued until August 31, 2010, it's been six years sence the end of hostilities and it's our duties as fellow veterans and citizens to ensure that this piece of history and the sacrifices made are never forgotten. Our gathering today is a small but heartfelt thank you to those American Patriots who served in the Iraq War," said Hume.
"During the seven-plus years of the Iraq War 4,486 Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice, including our own U.S. Army Specialist Larry E. Polley Jr. in January of 2004. Larry graduated from Center High School in 2001 and was 20 years old when he was killed in action," said Hume. He recognized Polley's mother, Lois Harper and father, Larry Polley, Sr. and presented them with plaques.
The Polley family then did the honors of placing the Iraq War Veterans wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
"Today we've gathered to remember our fallen comrades and all those who served in the Iraq War. Many served more than one tour, not only in Iraq, but in Afghanistan also," said Hume. "As we always say, the sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance and the core members of our VFW Post and Ladies Auxiliary will never forget, or let the general public forget, the general public who is mostly uninterested. Today, we would like to honor our gold star Polley Family with a small but heartfelt thank you."
Post Commander Gene Hutto presented Lois Harper a certificate in honor of her son who took freedom to a distant land and gave hope to a world oppressed. Post Senior Vice Newton Johnson, Jr. presented a similar certificate to Larry Polley, Sr.
Hume recognized those Iraq War veterans he knew to be present at the ceremony including past Post Commander Mike Langford and Addie Boyd.
TAPS was then played as presented by Mike Langford.











