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Around Town
July 21, 2015 - Five members of the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department are training this week at the 86th Annual Texas Municipal Fire Training School, held in College Station, Texas.
Assistant Chief/ Fire Marshal Jeremy Boyett, Assistant Fire Marshal Justin Boyett, and Secretary/ Treasurer Rusty Wilson are taking Officer Development V, which is taught on the campus of Texas A&M University.
Firefighter Jesse Parent is taking Firefighting Phase IV, and Firefighter Nat Rodgers is taking Firefighting Phase II. Both of those classes are taught at Brayton Fire Field in College Station, which is the largest fire/ rescue training facility in the world.
Training Officer Stephen Ewing is an instructor in the Structural Burn Complex, which is part of Firefighting Phase II.
The JVFD would like to thank all of our supporters who make it possible to attend this type of training. This allows us to put forth our best effort to serve the community of Northeast Shelby County.
July 21, 2015 - The Golden Harvest Ministries Club held their regular monthly meeting on July 20, 2015 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church . Joe Anderson called on Danny Brown to lead the opening prayer. Mr. Anderson welcomed the visitors who were Susan and Alayna Scull, Hannah Menefee, Adison Brown and Isaac De Wolf. Alice West read a story about two people in their 90’s who found a pharmacy that met all their needs so they were going to use it for a registry for their wedding!
Harold Hanson led the singing of “The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference” and “Mansion Over the Hilltop”. We sang Happy Birthday to Becky Maidic, Brenda Applequist and Danny Brown. Johnie Gray blessed the food before we went to partake of the carry in food and the 40 pieces of chicken.
Linda Anderson introduced the program which was Alana Scull and Hannah Menefee playing a violin. Alana changed her instrument from guitar to mandolin and to violin. Their music was beautiful as they did a number of pieces including an Irish Melody and Amazing Grace. We were invited to sing along with Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and If we never meet Again. The group gave a healthy applause for their talent.
We had the minutes of the last meeting and a Treasure’s report. Joe Anderson thanked for the sympathy card send due to the passing of his sister-in-law. We will send $10.00 to the Gideon’s in honor of Brooksie Lipscomb. Joe Anderson thanked the kitchen helpers and showed appreciation for the fresh flowers arranged by Linda Bordelon. Ann Forbes went over the paper with our sick and hospitalized. Some were taken off the list because they are better for which we are grateful. Jim Forbes announced that the new section of Loop 500 is to officially open next Monday. David Bain led our closing prayer.
Submitted by Ellen Manning
July 20, 2015 - Two Masonic Lodges in Shelby County had cause for celebration Saturday, July 18, 2015 as their new officers were sworn in.
The ceremonies were led by Vance Jordan, past Master of Joaquin, the Installing Officer. In Timpson the Installing Marshal was Morris Lee Hutto, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District #15 of the most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, and in Center Jerry Agnew was the Installing Marshal. The officers at the Timpson lodge were sworn in during the morning and the officers at the Center lodge were sworn in during the evening.
Jordan challenged the newly elected officers at each lodge to review their duties throughout the year and consider if they are doing what is needed and how to be a better Mason; thus, being a benefit to the lodge.
At each lodge, Hutto and Agnew presented those Masons being installed and escorted them to their appointed places within the lodge. As each officer was sworn in, they were invested with the insignia representing their position.
Timpson Masonic Lodge #437 officers include Dustin Norris, Worshipful Master; Jesse Maynard, Senior Warden; Charles Grigsby, Junior Warden; Les Gill, Treasurer; Dale Eldredge, Secretary; Bob Crump, Chaplain; Jamie Beasley, Junior Deacon; and Kevin Kirk, Senior Steward. Those to be installed at a later date include Bert Coan, Senior Deacon; Mike Boles, Junior Steward; and Dennis Permenter, Tiler.
Sam Samford Masonic Lodge #149 officers installed include John Green, Worshipful Master; Les Gill, Senior Warden; Roger Doyle, Junior Warden; Paul Ragan, Treasurer; Ron Baker, Secretary; Harry Murlock, Chaplain; Clay Ihlo, Senior Deacon; and Josh Snider, Junior Deacon.
July 14, 2015 - Twenty-one members of the Delta Gamma Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International met Monday, July 13 for a summer workshop in the Paxton home of President Fannie Watson. Members enjoyed a luncheon and made plans for programs, projects, and meeting places for the coming year. Committees also met and discussed upcoming plans for 2015-16. The Delta Gamma Chapter serves key women educators in Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby Counties.
Photo: (Front row from left) Tammy Sparks, Corresponding Secretary; Maggie Bowden, Recording Secretary; and Linda Bordelon, Parliamentarian (Back row) Nora Robinson, 2nd Vice-President; Melba Pahal, 1st Vice-President; Fannie Watson, President; and Tommie Thomas, Treasurer.
Submitted by Linda Bordelon
July 11, 2015 (Album1 Album2 Album3 Album4) - Updated: Nacendurance has the race results posted online now! - http://nacendurance.com/2015/07/14/2015-center-watermelon-5k-results/
Runners and walkers gathered on the downtown square for the 2015 What-A-Melon Crawl benefiting Shelby County Outreach Ministries.
Anna Lee, 5K chairperson and Rotary Club President, thanked all the participants, "We always really appreciate everybody that comes out because each 5K we do, is put on by the Rotary Club because of the festival, but our 5K itself we always donate it to a non-profit organization here in town and this year our proceeds are going to Shelby County Outreach Ministries who also funds Meals on Wheels and the Senior Nutrition Site."
The run results according to age division is as follows:
Top Overall Male - Ruben Soto (16:53.217, pace 5:27)
Top Overall Female - Emma Walker (21:16.351, pace 6:52)
Female Under 10 Division
1st place - Carrissa Rickman (37:17.856)
Female 15-19 Division
1st place - Ryley Beckham (25:52.699)
2nd place - Sarah Prince
3rd place - Tori Faust
Female 20-29 Division
1st place - Maria Almaguer (28:05.094)
2nd place - Amber O'Rear
3rd place - Emily Sowell
4th place - Kaley Nichols
5th place - Leslie Wall
Female 30-39 Division
1st place - Summer Koltonski (21:45.797)
2nd place - Carrie Wright
3rd place - Amber Bailey
4th place - Joy Wilburn
5th place - Ana Solis
6th place - Kathleen Rickman
7th place - Randa Faust
Female 40-49 Division
1st place - Sabrina Smith (28:12.523)
2nd place - Sarah Shires
3rd place - Carol Eberenz
4th place - Anna Stuever
5th place - Ona Hudspeth
Female 50-59 Division
1st place - Deborah Chadwick (24:05.339)
2nd place - Joyce Florance
3rd place - Hermila Mendoza
4th place - Deborah Crenshaw
5th place - Connie Belgard
6th place - Stacia Prince
7th place - Beth Nichols
8th place - Jheri-Lynn McSwain
Male 10-14 Division
1st place - Caden Solomon (30:11.080)
2nd place - Christopher Rickman
Male 15-19 Division
1st place - Carlos Bistamante (17:28.682)
2nd place - Mack Hamilton
3rd place - Jacob Locke
Male 20-29 Division
1st place - Rogue Palomino (19:31.822)
2nd place - Aaron Liker
Male 30-39 Division
1st place - Stephen Wright (17:39.581)
2nd place - Jeremy Fenley
Male 40-49 Division
1st place - Greg Stuever (22:30.790)
2nd place - Terry Scull
3rd place - Cody Beckham
Male 50-59 Division
1st place - Ricky Lawrence (28:40.785)
2nd place - Kenneth Jones
3rd place - Mike Belgard
Male 60+ Division
1st place - Jimmie Jones (22:54.916)
2nd place - Jimbo Faussett
3rd place - Chandra Atholi
4th place - Howell Howard
Complete run results will be posted on http://nacendurance.com.
ACE EMS were on standby during the 5K event for any participants who might overheat and Shelby County Outreach Ministries volunteers provided water at the water stations along the route. Sponsors of the event were Shelby Savings Bank who provided snacks, Baldwin Tree Service, East Texas Poultry Supply, Stephen Shires and John Black.
July 11, 2015 (Album1, Album2) - Jaden Washington was crowned Miss 2015 What-A-Melon Festival queen Saturday night during the festival pageant held under the big tent July 11th. With the title of Miss What-A-Melon Festival, Washington also received a $500 cash scholarship from Wiggins Farms which was presented by Tonya Bailey.
The stage was full of watermelon cuteness as contestants took to the stage to compete in various age divisions. The pageant results were as follows:
2015 Baby Miss - Sadie Jernigan
Princess: Sadie Brown, Allison Imken, Berkley Gamble
Best Smile - Allison Imken
Personality - Berkley Gamble
Most Beautiful - Sadie Brown
Best Fashion - Sadie Jernigan
2015 Toddler Miss - Harper Ross
Princess: Joley Moore, Kinzlee Terry, Cadence Shadix, Beau Gamble, Kirstie Parks, Emma Clevenger, Codi West
Best Smile - Emma Clevenger
Personality - Cadence Shadix
Most Beautiful - Harper Ross
Best Fashion - Codi West
2015 Tiny Miss - Zoey Richardson
Princess: Ansley Nettles, Zoe Yates, Gracie Hicks, Hallie Barbee, Naziyah Roberts, Chloe Price
Best Smile - Zoey Richardson
Personality - Chloe Price
Most Beautiful - Naziyah Roberts
Best Fashion - Zoey Richardson
2015 Little Miss - Rihana Lane
Princess: Carissa Rickman
Best Smile - Carissa Rickman
Personality - Carissa Rickman
Most Beautiful - Rihana Lane
Best Fashion - Rihana Lane
2015 Petite Miss - Corinne Rickman
Princess: Payton Brown, Carolyn Mathis, Kahryn Dyson, Bailey Shadix
Best Smile - Kahryn Dyson
Personality - Bailey Shadix
Most Beautiful - Corinne Rickman
Best Fashion - Carolyn Mathis
2015 Preteen Miss - Zacoria Thedford
Princess: Varinia Parrish
Best Smile - Zacoria Thedford
Personality - Varinia Parrish
Most Beautiful - Varinia Parrish
Best Fashion - Zacoria Thedford
2015 Teen Miss - Loren Vandrovec
Princess: Faith Eddings, Karley Broadway
Best Smile - Faith Eddings
Personality - Karley Broadway
Most Beautiful - Loren Vandrovec
Best Fashion - Karley Broadway
2015 Miss - Jaden Washington
Princess: Amanda Warren, Becca Mathis
Best Smile - Becca Mathis
Personality - Amanda Warren
Most Beautiful - Jaden Washington
Best Fashion - Jaden Washington
The People's Choice winners were:
1st place - Hallie Barbee
2nd place - Gracie Hicks
3rd place - Kirstie Parks
July 12, 2015 (More photos) - The 2015 What-A-Melon Festival Pet Show entertained audience members under the big tent with cuteness, tricks, and personality. Celebrity emcee for the pet show was Tenaha resident Jeff Stewart, a wildlife expert and Cryptozoologist who has been on Survivorman Bigfoot with Les Stroud. Stewart shared little known animal trivia knowledge during the show with the audience.
Watermelon cuteness won over the judges with Caityln Madden and Paris who took to the stage wearing their matching watermelon outfits. Special thanks to the panel of judges who were Lori Oliver, Colleen Doggett, Courtney Martinez, and Lisa Albers.
The results of the Pet Show were:
Best in Show - Paris, a miniature schnauzer, showed by Caityln Madden (photo)
Best Dog
1st place - Rex, a Siberian husky, showed by Steve Hampton
2nd place - Pooh, a chi-weenie, showed by Jessica Berry
3rd place - Buster, a beagle, showed by John Austin Ford
Best Mannered Pet
1st place - Bandy, the cat, showed by Josie Martinez
2nd place - Monty, a husky , showed by Cindy Mathis
3rd place - Pooh, a chi-weenie, showed by Jessica Berry
Pet with Best Trick
1st place - Pongo, a dalmatian, showed by Brandy Taylor
2nd place - Chelios, a German shepherd, showed by Joshua Soape
3rd place - Rex, a Siberian husky, showed by Steve Hampton
Most Unusual Pet
1st place - Doris, a fancy rat, showed by Josie Martinez
2nd place - Pixie, a ball python, showed by Jessica Berry
3rd place - Bandy, the cat, showed by Josie Martinez
Smallest Pet
1st place - Pixie, a ball python, showed by Jessica Berry
2nd place - Doris, a fancy rat, showed by Josie Martinez
3rd place - Bandy, the cat, showed by Josie Martinez
Biggest Pet
1st place - Chelios, a German shepherd, showed by Joshua Soape
2nd place - Monty, a husky , showed by Cindy Mathis
3rd place - Pongo, a dalmatian, showed by Brandy Taylor
Best Dressed
1st place - Paris, a miniature schnauzer, showed by Caityln Madden
2nd place - Rex, a Siberian husky, showed by Steve Hampton
3rd place - Buster, a beagle, showed by John Austin Ford
July 12, 2015 - Years ago it was the drought; this year it was the rain. The largest watermelon entry for 2015 was Doug Cogswell's melon which weighed 96 pounds.
Not only was the number of entries low for the What-A-Melon Festival's biggest event but the scales didn't tip 100lbs. Farmers commented about the heavy amounts of rain affecting the watermelon entries to the festival.
Although the numbers were smaller than past years, the crowd didn't let it dampen the event and the Rotary Club of Center presented over $5,000 in prize money to the entries. Emcee for the watermelon weigh-in was Austin Wright who announced the results throughout the event.
Largest Watermelon Weigh-in Results:
1st place - Doug Cogswell, (96.0 lbs)
2nd place - Jenny Johnson, (87.0 lbs)
3rd place - Olivia Johnson, (84.0 lbs)
4th place - Jayden Akridge, (81.5 lbs)
5th place - Whitley Johnson, (74.5 lbs)
6th place - Bella Akridge, (73.0 lbs)
7th place - Louise Johnson, (64.0 lbs)
8th place - Tate Johnson, (63.0 lbs)
9th place - Jaleigh Johnson, (60.5 lbs)
10th place - Shelby Johnson, (60.0 lbs)
11th place - Jimmy Matthews, (59.75 lbs)
12th place - Renee Johnson, (55.5 lbs)
13th place - Bo Jordon, (50.5 lbs)
Past years 1st place melons
2014 - Weighed 144.00 lbs, Jimmy Matthews of Joaquin
2013 - Weighed 163.25 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2012 - Weighed 168.75 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2011 - Weighed 146.5 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2010 - Weighed 147.00 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2009 - Weighed 153.25 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2008 - Weighed 151.75 lbs, Darrell Matthews of Joaquin
July 12, 2015 - Competition was tough at the What-A-Melon Festival Seed Spitting and Speed Eating events held under the big tent during Saturday's festival activities. Special judges in the Speed Eating competition were Tanya Echols from Cleburne, Texas and Kaye Weiland from Burleson, Texas who had scheduled their vacation to include three days of What-A-Melon Festival activites.
Seed Spitting (Photos)
Youth (7 and younger) Division
1st place - Mackenzie Simmons
2nd place - Reese Betancourt
3rd place - Stephanie Santana
Youth (8-15 yrs old) Division
1st place - Franuel Araudo
2nd place - Neena Smith
3rd place - Neera Smith
Women's Division
1st place - Jenny Beattie
2nd place - Taryn Chambliss
3rd place - Ashley Newton
Men's Division
1st place - Kris Dockens
2nd place - Nehemias Santana
3rd place - Aaron Weaver
Speed Eating (Photos)
Youth (7 and younger) Division
1st place - Evan Wittmann
2nd place - Stephanie Santana
3rd place - Addison Lloyd
Youth (8-15 yrs old) Division
1st place - Raylee Askew
2nd place - Collin Lloyd
3rd place - Neera Smith
Women's Division
1st place - Ruby Bhanji
2nd place - Erica Santana
3rd place - Isabel Santana
Men's Division
1st place - Kris Dockens
2nd place - Aaron Weaver
3rd place - Nehemias Santana
July 10, 2015 - 4C Electrical Services held a relocation ribbon cutting on Friday morning, July 10, 2015 at their new location at 1595 Southview Circle in Center.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, community members and City of Center officials were all in attendance to welcome the business to its new location.'
Meg Camp, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, thanked everyone for being present and introduced the owner of 4C Electrical Services, Scooter Clark who introduced members of his staff and described the kinds of jobs they work.
"We do industrial, residential, commercial electrical work. All sizes small service calls to whatever. We do appreciate everybody's loyalty," said Clark.
Clark explained the 4C stands for himself, and family members Stacie Clark, Zac Clark and Brett Clark. 4C has a team of 10 electricians who they say can meet industrial, commercial and residential electrical needs of any size.
To gain more information about 4C Electrical Services, they can be reached at 936-591-9889.
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