Shelby County Today

October 8, 2021 - (Album) - Jheri-Lynn McSwain and Feleshia Thompson, AgriLife Extension Agents, representing Shelby 4-H Hearts to Hands Quilts of Valor Project hosted a program honoring specific veterans on October 7, 2021 during the 45th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival.

"Our project is comprised of adult volunteers and 4-H youth that meet to sew in honor of Shelby County veterans," said McSwain. "The Quilts of Valor Project is in partnership with VFW Post 8904 and made possible through sponsorships from local businesses and individuals."

McSwain invited all in the public to view the Quilts of Valor and honoree memorabilia on display at the Historic 1885 Shelby County Courthouse during the festival from 10am to 4pm, October 7-9.

McSwain provided additional background into the development of the Quilts of Valor program. In 2003 a quilter named Katherine Roberts began the movement that became the Quilts of Valor when her son was deployed to Iraq. Since that time over 190,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded across the United States.

"Our mission is to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor," said McSwain. "Today we will be presenting 14 quilts, and these quilts have been sponsored by the Center Noon Lion's Club and local individuals in Shelby County."

McSwain and Thompson each then introduced the honorees, recognized them for their service and thanked them for allowing them to recognize them.

Those honorees are as follows:

• Seaman Allen Baker, Navy - 1946-1948
• Master Sergeant Derwin Howell, Sr., Air Force - 1963-1983
• Machinist 1st Class Isaac "Ike" Reeves II, Navy - 1964-1966
• Corporal Lee Jarvis, Marines - 1965-1967
• Specialist Five Kenneth Ramsey, Army - 1966-1968
• Specialist Five Rocky Hand, Army - 1968-1971
• Sergeant Michael Wulf, Army - 1968-1970
• Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Martin, Navy - 1989-1994
• Senior Airman Michael Davidson, Air Force - 1995-1999
• Sergeant Angela Neal, Army - 2000-2005
• Corporal Jason Samford, Marines - 2005-2009
• Specialist Four William Denison, Army - 2006-2014
• Sergeant David Williams, Army - 2009-2017
• Petty Officer 3rd Class John Clevenger, Navy - 2009-2014

September 30, 2021 (Parade Photo Album) - The 45th East Texas Poultry Festival Doo Dah Parade, Sponsored by Center Tire Company, was held yesterday Wednesday, September 29th, on the Historic Downtown Center Square. Although there was a threat of rain, a large number of spectators enjoyed the Queen’s Court candidate floats, civic organization and business entries. Junior Chamber of Commerce and Young Ambassador students and the Shelby Chick led the parade. Thankfully the rain held off and we had a great Parade.

Doo Dah Parade trophy winners include: First Place, the Lawn Chair Brigade (always a crowd favorite); Second Place, Windham Family Dental; Third Place, Family Dental Center.

The Queen’s Court float winners will be announced at the Coronation, this Saturday, October 2nd at Center High School Cafetorium at 7pm. Tickets at the door are $5.00.

Gold Sponsors for the Doo Dah Parade are Ilho Sales and Imports and Professional Title Services. 

Farmers State Bank is this year’s East Texas Poultry Festival Presenting Sponsor. The traditional Cutting of the Feathers and Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Focused Care of Center, will be held Thursday, October 7th, at 10:00 a.m. on the downtown square. See you there!

October 5, 2021 - A ribbon cutting event was held at The Mootique on Thursday, September 30th with Kailee Metcalf. Family and friends attended along Chamber of Commerce ambassadors to welcome Kailee to the business community.

The Mootique is a shop specializing in handmade children’s clothing, blankets, dolls and jewelry.

Stephanie Elswick, Ambassador President, introduced Kailee and welcomed her to talk about her business, “We are here for the ribbon cutting of a new business, with these adorable products, called Mootique.”

Kailee introduced herself saying she had moved here about a year ago, however, her husband Luke was born and raised here and they have five children, all girls. “My business started kind of as an extension of my mom’s business; she owns a t-shirt business. She does vinyl products and she wanted to start selling children’s products too. And I kind of took that and ran with it, so now I own my own business. The Mootique is kind of like a play on words with my last name… we are the Metcalfs.” She continued, “I’m very blessed to be able to do this with my biggest supporter (husband Luke). He always says he’s my biggest fan. So, without him and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Collette back there, she made this possible too by allowing me to be here… So, I’m very grateful that you all come out today to support my business. Thank you so much.”

Her husband Luke added jokingly, “Yeah, support it all the way so that I can retire.”

Kailee invited everyone to join her Facebook page The Mootique VIP. The Mootique is located at 506 FM 2788, Center, Texas. Kailee sews and keeps in stock clothes for up to 12-year-olds. She does take custom orders as well which can be for anyone, any size. In stock she has bows, homemade blankets, jewelry, and other accessories.

Kailee plans to reveal her Thanksgiving line of clothing in October! Coming soon!

(Left) Queen Carly Gray and (right) Queen Emilee Elliott

October 4, 2021 - Congratulations to the 2021 East Texas Poultry Festival Queen’s Court. Emilee Eliott was crowned the 2021 East Texas Poultry Festival Senior Queen and Carly Gray was crowned the 2021 East Texas Poultry Festival Junior Queen at the coronation held Saturday, October 2nd. Senior first runner-up was Princess Kate Lawson. Junior first runner-up was Princess Kendall Murry and junior second runner-up was Princess Gracie Leach.

Children of the Court during the East Texas Poultry Festival pageant were Miss Everly Windham, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Clayton Windham; Thomas Vance Payne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Josh Payne; Miss Codi West, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chase West; and Mason Blackshear, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wil Blackshear.

Thank you to the East Texas Poultry Festival Queen’s court platinum sponsor High Roller Wells for making the pageant a huge success. Gold sponsors for the event were Dazzle Me Pink and Blue and JML Management.

The 2021 East Texas Poultry Festival Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Focused Care of Center, will be held under the Big Tent at 10:00 a.m., Thursday morning, October 7th. Queen Emilee and Queen Carly and the court will cut the feathers opening the festival.

Thank you to Farmers State Bank, Poultry Festival Presenting Sponsor; and Festival Gold Sponsors, City of Center, Pilgrim’s Pride, Raymond Motor Company and Tyson Foods.

See you at the Festival.

For additional information, call Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 936-598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

For a list of additional awards presented during the pageant, click the following article - Elliott, Gray Crowned Queens at ETPF Queen's Scholarship Pageant.