Around Town

January 7, 2026 - The Center Garden Club met for its December meeting in the home of Carolyn Bounds who served a holiday lunch and presented the program, "Trees for Christmas."
Carolyn shared her gumdrop tree, a festive holiday treat that can serve as a fun centerpiece. She, also, shared her arrangement of bare winter branches adorned with ornamental glass birds or bulbs that makes a simple but stunning use of leafless trees.
Carolyn's third reference to "Trees for Christmas" was her sharing of the legend of Captain Herman Shueneman who for many years crossed Lake Michigan in his old three-masted schooner laden with thousands of Christmas trees bound for Chicago where masses eagerly awaited him. The masses had proclaimed him "Captain Santa," the man who not only sold his trees, but more importantly, delivered many of them free of charge to the churches, hospitals, and needy families of Chicago. Unfortunately, in 1912 tragedy struck; Captain Santa and his crew were lost to a raging Lake Michigan storm. His legacy of generosity and kindness lives on to this day, when every year, including 2025, the US Coast Guard's cutter the Mackinaw arrives at Chicago's Navy Pier from the North to donate trees to deserving families as a kind gesture in the spirit of Captain Santa (Herman Shueneman). Trees are certainly one of Nature's loveliest gifts to all.
Following the program, a brief business meeting was conducted and adjourned with a Merry Christmas wish to all.

January 2, 2026 - In keeping with Center Garden Club's goal of sharing Nature's beauty throughout our community, the month of December saw Merry Carnes presenting a lovely double red poinsettia to Focused Care of Center Nursing Home. Pictured receiving the poinsettia from club member Merry Carnes (right) is Director of Nursing Susan Dinbali (left).
Submitted by Carolyn Bounds
December 26, 2025 - Now is the time to update your home inventory! If you don't have one, start a new tradition and create an inventory of your home!
Christmas time can bring lots of new items into our homes! In the event of burglaries and thefts or even worse, a house fire, it's important to have a list of your items.
ReportIt is a free online tool available to Shelby County citizens. ReportIt lets you securely store serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures, and scans of receipts so that your items may be more easily identified in the event of theft or loss. ReportIt is a Citizen Property Inventory System powered by LeadsOnline (reportit.leadsonline.com) and is an invaluable tool to the general public and law enforcement.
Knowing what you own is the difference between recovering and not recovering stolen property and the outcome depends greatly on the information provided by the homeowner.
Home inventories are often times general and non descriptive. It is important to provide as much information about items as possible including makes and models, serial numbers, detailed physical description, and photographs of the items.
The ReportIt system is secure and only accessible by the person who sets up the account. Law enforcement agencies do not have access to your account, only you do. If you have items stolen, you can log into your account select the items which were stolen and then generate a report to give to law enforcement. The system is also valuable in the event of any kind of loss which has to be filed with an insurance company such as fire.
According to LeadsOnline, it is the nation's largest online investigative system used by thousands of law enforcement agencies to recover stolen property and solve crimes. Each year, LeadsOnline is credited with recovering millions of dollars in stolen goods and solving thousands of crimes that are often associated with bigger crimes, such as homicide, identity theft, and arson.
Law enforcement encourages all residents to use this free online system that will help keep track of valuable and invaluable personal property.
As you buy it; inventory it!

December 24, 2025 - On behalf of the entire team at Shelby County Outreach Ministries, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors who made the "Merry Christmas Elvis Style" fundraiser a spectacular success!
Your commitment and support are truly appreciated. Because of your kindness, we were able to continue to feed the hungry and assist the needy.
The spirit of Christmas, and a little bit of Elvis's magic, was felt by everyone, and it wouldn't have been possible without your partnership.
Thank you once again for believing in our cause and for your incredible generosity. We look forward to future collaborations!
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Sherry Harding
Executive Director Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc.
Special thanks to all the businesses and individuals that contributed to our Silent Auction:
Lawrence Davis, Here's the Deal, Cade and Gabby , H&S Discount Foods, Wings & White Tails, Dillards, Hallmark, Diamond B's, Brookshire Brothers, Wal-Mart, American Self Defense, Town & Country, Century 21, Chambliss, Borders, Matthews, Center Furniture, Jalapeno Tree, Shoe Sensation, Center Motor Company ATV, Darrell's BBQ, T&R Steaks N' More, Terri Lacher, Lasting Impressions, Bistro, NAPA Auto Parts, Autozone, ACE Hardware, Jay Barlor, Powell Park, Susan Nolan, White Cottage Merc, Center Floral, Mooney's Emporium, Lil's Deals, Rayburn Resort & Marina, Rancho Grande, Woodforest Bank, Burkes

December 8, 2025 - (Photo Album) - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee announces the winners of the 2025 Annual Santa’s Christmas Parade, which was held this past Saturday, December 6th. The theme for the parade was “Silver Bells” Roger Doyle, this year’s Grand Marshal led the Parade.
Winners by Category are:

Individual Category
1st Place – Marlin Brewer, aka Mr. Smiley
2nd Place – Peyton McGee, 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Queen
3rd Place – Cheyenne Gaddis , Shelby County Pageant

School Category
1st Place – FLM Primary School
2nd Place – CHS Marching Band
3rd Place – CHS Chaparrals

Church Category
1st Place – St. Therese Catholic Church
2nd Place – Hillcrest Baptist Church
3rd Place – Abundant Love Ministries

Civic Organization Category
1st Place – Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department
2nd Place – Shelby County Youth Soccer
3rd Place – Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center

Business Category
1st Place – Southern Fluid Solutions
2nd Place – Farmers State Bank
3rd Place – Mesa Natural Gas Solutions

Overall Best in Show – St. Therese Catholic Church
Thank you to all our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, HR Group; Competition Sponsor, City of Center; Grand Marshal Sponsor, Dazzle Me Pink and Blue; and Silver Sponsors Farmers State Bank, Holiday Nursing and Rehabilitation and Specter, Inc.
Thank you to the Center Police Department for assisting with traffic. Thank you to the Center Fire Department for transporting the City of Center City Council and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department for transporting Santa Claus. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the evening!
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department "Fill The Cruiser" truck is seen above loaded down with gifts.
December 19, 2025 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department hosted a “Fill The Cruiser” event at the Historic 1885 Shelby County Courthouse on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were there to visit with little boys and girls so they could share their wishes for Christmas. The Grinch also made an appearance and was spotted without and within the walls of the courthouse as he no doubt plotted some sort of mischief.

Elves were spotted in the vicinity of Santa, and as with the one pictured above, some were large enough they needed a full-size tree to hide behind.

The Clauses are seen above waiting for excited boys and girls to share their Christmas wishes.
December 18, 2025 - Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 quilt raffle who are Ruby Everett, Pam Patterson, Brenda Hebert, Stephanie Harkness, and Brenda Guerron. Scrap Happy Quilters Group and James-Antioch Community Center would like to thank all who purchased tickets for our fundraiser.

December 17, 2025 - Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department members held their end-of-year meeting Christmas party at T&R’s Steaks and More in Center Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Volunteer Fire Chief Mark Odom greeted everyone and presented awards recognizing several members for their efforts throughout 2025.

Pictured are Wayne Coil (left) and Chief Mark Odom (right).
Wayne Coil was awarded, "Firefighter of the Year." Presented with, "Exceptional Commitment to Ticket Sales," award recognition were Amber Fuchsberger and Robert Fuchsberger. Amanda Treat-Brock was presented with the award for, "Most Improved Firefighter."

Pictured are (left) Amber Fuchsberger and Robert Fuchsberger (right).
“Appreciate everything everybody did this year in coming out and helping, and we just want to make sure everybody mainly stays safe,” said Chief Odom.
Treat-Brock thanked everybody for the success of the Christmas parade in Tenaha and for the presence of all the firefighters.

Pictured is, Amanda Treat-Brock.

December 16, 2025 - The University of Texas at Tyler recognize fall 2025 degree candidates during UT Tyler's Fall 2025 Commencement December 12-13 and two of the graduates were from Tenaha.
Maria Alvarado earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the School of Health Professions and received her diploma on Friday, December 12 in the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center.
Perla Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from UT Tyler's College of Education and Psychology and was presented her diploma during the Saturday, December 13 ceremony.
December 13, 2025 - Timpson enjoyed having its 2025 Lighted Christmas parade last week, Sunday, December 7, 2025. Large turn out of spectators and a wonderful parade, parade entries that put all of our community in the Christmas spirit.

The Timpson FFA Greenhand group was awarded best theme, Student Greenhorn president Landree Jousan is pictured holding the trophy and Agriculture teacher Donna Sue Youngblood is also pictured in the group.

Pictured are Duncan Connell (left, holding "Louie") and Paul Smith (right).
Bink's Quickstop was awarded the people 's choice award. Robin and Duncan Connell issued out candy while sporting their 1933 Ford Truck with Louie as their mascot.
Our entire community showed support and enjoyed the FFA boosters fundraiser of hot chocolate, chicken and waffles afterwards with Santa Clause inside Tie and Timber Lodge.










