Shelby County Today

May 4, 2015 - Another year has come and gone as Willow Grove Cemetery Homecoming was held Saturday, May 2, 2015. First of all, we would like to thank everyone who was able to come and to everyone who sent a donation. If, by chance, you missed it Mr. Willie Edwards will still take donations at PO Box 71 Joaquin, Texas 75954.

We would like everyone to know that we are currently awaiting the mapping and the plotting of each existing grave and reserved grave, as well as all available future grave sites. Once we receive the map a covered metal structure will be built to display the map of the cemetery.

We voted to fill out an application with the State of Texas Historical Society to set a historical marker at our cemetery. Mitzi Edwards, recently named to the committee, will be our contact person for this project. However, she needs everyone’s help. A five page report on the cemetery and those buried there must be turned in among many other items. So, think of the stories and history that people have told you and share with her. Examples of those could be my Grandpa was a Confederate soldier, my mother sang with…, Davy Crocket camped here, etc. Please take time and think, record and send stories to Mitzi Edwards at ….mkay_0110@yahoo.com or you can send to her address: 4928 Scott Drive Greenwood, LA 71033.

We thank Mr. Lennis Holt who freely gives of his time and machinery to keep the “back forty” maintained. When you see him give him a big shout out!

And finally, we thank everyone who has an interest and cares for our cemetery, We thank the Lord for our loved ones and the opportunity to serve and carry on. Let us encourage each other and our younger generations to be actively involved. Hope this updates our progress and will be looking forward to next year and seeing all of you.

May 4, 2015 - Delta Gamma, local chapter of women in education honor society, will be collecting used cell phones for soldiers. The Cell Phones for Soldiers Project is a worldwide nonprofit group that distributes free telephone international calling cards to U.S. troops serving overseas. Every phone donated to this group generates about an hour of talk time for a soldier abroad. They accept all types of cell phones from any carrier. They do not collect accessories. All cell phones donated are sold either to an electronic refurbisher or a recycler. If the cell phone has a SIM card, it should be removed prior to donating. Any information remaining on the phone will be wiped off upon arrival to the company.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Massachusetts. The organization has raised well over two million dollars and has distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards. Robbie and Brittany are adults now. They have received many awards. Their parents were both teachers. Check the website for more information- http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Delta Gamma have drop boxes for used cell phones located in many area schools- Timpson Elementary, Joaquin Elementary, Tenaha High School, and at Planetary IT computer tech business. Thanks to everyone that can donate to this worthy cause.

April 29, 2015 - Cline Family Medicine welcomes Laura Briggs, ACNP-BC who has been a great addition to the team since December of 2014.

Laura C. Briggs, ACNP-BC was born and raised in Shreveport-Bossier. Her father is a pulmonary critical doctor in Louisiana. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BSN from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2007. Laura has worked as an inpatient dialysis nurse before becoming an ICU nurse at a level one trauma center for 5 years.

In 2013, Laura graduated with a Master’s of Science in Nursing. She is ANCC board certified as an acute care nurse practitioner. She has worked in internal medicine for one year. Laura moved to Desoto Parish/Logansport area about 12 ½ years ago. She currently lives in Joaquin with her 6 year old daughter. She is involved in her church and feels her faith, family and friends are the most important parts of her life. She has a passion for delivering high quality personalized health care.

Briggs expresses her joy, “I feel honored and it is a privilege to serve the same community I live in.”

April 29, 2015 - Every May, we honor our mothers for the compassion and love they have unselfishly provided. While we take the time to celebrate and reflect on the support that we sometimes take for granted, there are children struggling in the child welfare system without a caring mother or mother figure in their lives.

For these children there is no celebration on Mother’s Day – only heartache, as many of them have been separated from their family due to abuse or neglect. Now facing an overburdened system alone, they need someone to guide and support them during this challenging time.

That someone is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate®) volunteer, a dedicated member of the community appointed by a judge to speak up on behalf of a child’s best interest. A CASA volunteer provides the stability and familiarity a child needs during their transitions through the foster care system. CASA of Deep East Texas is one of the 71 CASA programs across the state that recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for children in care.

“In many cases, a CASA volunteer is the one consistent presence in a child’s life while he or she is in the foster care system,” said Kim Herman, Recruitment & Retentions Specialist for CASA of Deep East Texas. “That volunteer often fills the role of a parental figure by providing much-needed support and guidance.”

By getting to know the child personally and speaking with everyone involved in the child’s life, the CASA volunteer can make well-informed and holistic placement recommendations to the court with the goal of finding the child a safe, permanent and loving home as quickly as possible.

“This Mother’s Day, we hope you join us in celebrating the volunteers in our community that continue to help lead our children to brighter futures,” said Herman.

As a way to honor your mother or another special person in your life, consider volunteering for child in need. As of April 23, 2015, 50 CASA volunteers served 188 children in the child welfare system in Nacogdoches, Shelby, and San Augustine Counties, but 58 children still need a volunteer to advocate for their best interests.

You can help break the cycle of abuse from one generation to another. Become involved with CASA of Deep East Texas to learn how you can become a positive role model in a foster child’s life.

Take advantage of CASA of Deep East Texas next training session at the office located at 115 E. Main in Nacogdoches June 15, 16, 22, and 23, 2015 from 5-9pm. You can find more information at www.casaofdet.com , www.BecomeACASA.org or call (936) 560-4711.