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April 2 - April 2 Only
PG Movie ends 8:30pm
Thursday April 2 only
The King of Kings
FREE ADMISSION
Coming Soon:
Super Mario Galaxy
Closed Wed. & Thurs.
Box office opens 7pm
Admission:
Adults $8, Children $7
Senior Citizens (Mondays) $6
936-598-3864
Around Town
January 22, 2026 - (Album) - A Martin Luther King Jr., march and celebration was held Monday, January 19, 2026, beginning on the Center square in front of the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
Participants gathered and just before the march began, a prayer was led by Tammy Fletcher.
The march left the square and traveled Shelbyville Street before reaching Martin Luther King Drive where it continued until it reached Bright Morning Star Baptist Church. A celebration program was then featured within the church walls.
Anita Williams, Mistress of Ceremonies, opened the program and commented on her enthusiasm in being there. She said that she was excited to see all the people that joined in the march.
“Today we pause to remember Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to reflect on the kind of life he challenged all of us to live,” said Williams.
Minister Cameron Cloudy offered an opening program for the celebration and Sister Latreaser Cartwright welcomed everyone to the event.
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“As we celebrate today, we remember Doctor King’s commitment to justice, compassion, unity and the teaching of Jesus Christ,” said Cartwright. “His work was rooted in scripture.”
Ray McCollister recited from heart the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech which is most notably remembered as being delivered on August 28, 1963 during a march on Washington, D.C.
Once McCollister completed his presentation, the Abundant Love Ministries Youth dance group performed. Pastor Anthony Jackson introduced the keynote speaker of the celebration, Minister Deshmond Johnson.
Sister Triquina Swindle Polley offered closing remarks and she thanked the Bright Morning Star Baptist Church family.
“When I took over this program, not only did I want to celebrate Dr. King, but I wanted to bring unity to our community,” said Polley. “So every year we’ve tried to go to a different church and just celebrate Dr. King and try and get all of our church to just kind of get all of our churches to kind of unite.”
She thanked Abundant Love Ministries and their youth group for always participating and she recognized Joyce Johnson for her trust in her.
“Thank you Miss Joyce for trusting me with your sacred program,” said Polley.
Polley thanked McCollister for always making himself available to participate in the event.
At the end of the event Delbert Jackson spoke on Shelby County Black History, the importance of remembering that history and his continuing quest to preserve and highlight events from the past.
January 22, 2026 - During Tuesday's Center Rotary Club meeting, Pastor Brandon Jones with Center Missionary Baptist Church spoke about their upcoming Superheroes for Autism 5K on April 4th at 443 Moffett Drive, Center, Texas. The event is a fundraiser for Uniting Pieces Ministry which focuses on helping families dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The ministry works closely with area pediatricians, primary care physicians, and Shelby County schools, as a resource to provide assistance to children and families living with ASD.
For more information, click here to visit the church's Uniting Pieces webpage. To register for the race, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Center/Superheroes4Autism.
January 19, 2026 - Recently, Rotarian J. J. Ford visited Center Middle School and she spoke to twenty-four 8th grade girls, who are all members of the group known as My Sister Myself which is a service club.
Ford, a member of the Rotary Cub of Center, introduced the young girls to Rotary International, the world’s first service club, founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney. He envisioned a professional organization where people of diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships. However, at that time, it did not include women.
She shared a short video with the girls which included some history of the Rotary Club International, such as Polio Eradication (1979–Present), and the eventual inclusion of women.
Following a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Rotary clubs worldwide began admitting women, who are now the fastest-growing segment of the organization.
She also shared the club’s motto - "Service Above Self.” This is also a principle MY SISTER MYSELF strives to practice, through the many service deeds they perform, such as: canned food drives, pulling trash from classrooms for custodians, buying caps and socks for senior citizens and presenting them to residents at nursing homes, working at food banks, and many other deeds. In fact, each girl has to have 5 out of 7 service points in order to travel on the spring college tour.
J.J. shared how the Rotary Club has donated over $1 million to the Roughrider Scholarship Foundation for graduating seniors. She also told the girls about many service projects Rotary of Center has done around the community such as providing ADA compliant equipment at Portacool Park for those with disabilities, contributing to youth sports parks, replacing carpet in the Redditt Room at the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library, and so much more.
J.J. wanted the girls to know that the service they’re doing now can carry over into the future. One day, they too can join the Rotary Club of Center and carry on the “motto” both groups now share.
Ticket drawing at noon tomorrow, January 20th!
January 19, 2026 - The Rotary Club of Center is hosting a fundraiser with the grand prize being a Kohler 20KW Home Standby Generator valued at $11,696! Ticket donations are $40 for one ticket or $100 for 3 tickets. The winner will be drawn on Tuesday, Janaury 20, 2026 during the Rotary Club noon meeting!
The Kohler 20KW Home Standby Generator with standard installation is valued at $11,696! Standard installation is within 20 feet of service and within Shelby County or within 30 miles of Center. Areas outside of range, additional installation costs may apply. Installation does not include gas hook up; it will be the responsibility of the winner. Winner need not be present to win.
Center Rotary Club members have tickets as well as the following business locations: ACE Hardware, Blake Furniture, East Texas Poultry Supply, Farmers State Bank, Mathews Realty, Sabine State Bank, and Shelby Savings Bank.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to charitable donations made by the Rotary Club to the community. This year's club service project will benefit the residents of Shelby County nursing homes as well as the Senior Nutrition Site. More information to come.
January 16, 2026 - Promoted in January 2026 to Sergeant in the Texas Department of Public Safety is David Shields, Jr.
Sgt. Shields has been with the Texas Department of Public Safety since September 9, 2016, after which he graduated on February 17, 2017. He eventually transferred to Center in 2021, and during his time working in the Shelby County area he was promoted to Corporal in 2023.
Now working out of the Marshall area, Sgt. Shields will be over Harrison and Panola Counties.
Sgt. Shields is pictured above with his spouse, Dandi Shields; daughter, Lennox Shields. (Not pictured is his son Aidan Shields.)
January 16, 2026 - Lions Club President Mahesh Galal proudly presented Fred Wulf with a 50-year service plaque, honoring his five decades of dedication and lasting contributions to the Center Noon Lions Club.
Submitted by Walter Bounds
January 14, 2026 - Joaquin High School teacher, Heaven Umbrell recently received her VFW Post 8904 Teacher of the Year award for 2025-2026. On Monday, January 12, Post Commander Derrick Roberts presented her with a framed certificate and a check for $200. Also on hand was Joaquin High School Principal Jonathan Jones.
January 12, 2026 - (Photo Album) - A car show was held in Timpson hosted by Hudson Auto Parts on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Even though the day was both wet and cold, the event drew a large number and variety of vehicles for all to see.
The show was more of a showcase, rather than a competition, and participants were presented with door prizes.
January 12, 2026 - The following area students received degrees during the 2025 fall semester at Sam Houston State University.
Christopher Byndom, a 2019 graduate of Center High School, received a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Reyna Duarte-Calixto, also a 2019 graduate of Center High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
January 7, 2026 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries is making some immediate changes to our congregate feeding program. The purchase of meals is now available to all.
- Seniors 60 and older (Dine-in): $6 per meal
- Senior Take-Out Meals: $8 per meal
- Non-Seniors 60 and under (Guests/Others): $10 per meal
The Senior Nutrition Site will continue to strive to provide a warm and welcoming environment for senior citizens to come and enjoy fellowship, games, and learning opportunities. All proceeds go towards supporting our senior feeding programs. For more information, please contact Director of Senior Programs Darlene Mitchell at 936-598-7768.
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