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Around Town
March 6, 2026 - Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors along with members of the community gathered for a Chamber Ribbon Cutting event for Everlume on Friday, February 27th to congratulate store owners, Elizabeth Escobedo and Sandy Fuller, on their new store location.
Andi Foster, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador President, welcome everyone and introduced the owners of Everlume, “I just want to say on behalf of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and our ambassadors, I would like to thank everyone for joining us today as we celebrate this special ribbon cutting of our newest member, Everlume, owned by Elizabeth Escobedo and Sandy Fuller. And we want to congratulate Elizabeth and Sandy on their new venture. For choosing to invest in our community, we are excited to have Everlume as part of our chamber family and look forward to watching your business grow and thrive in Shelby County.”
Foster then presented the owners with their official Chamber of Commerce plaque which they can display in their store. She then invited them to share more about Everlume.
Elizabeth Escobedo told the story of how Everlume began, “We started off in May of 2025 of last year doing pop-ups with just Jewelry. We expanded and now here we are in our storefront. After four or five months later with Sandy involved now with both of us being into the Everlume business. We want to be the best that we can be and provide anything that we can for our community. And so we're just so happy to be here and just be full of light for everyone that needs it in this life.”
Sandy Fuller added, “So it's been three months that we have been in this space. The moment that this space became available we jumped on it, we were so excited, we had seven days from the moment that the keys were handed over to make this spot the way it is. Of course, since then we've added so many new racks and so many shelves and so many new things. And so it's been seriously the best three months and again it's because of the community that has been so amazing and so supportive of this business.”
Both expressed their appreciation to all who attended the ribbon cutting before eveyone went outside to preform the official ribbon cutting. Many enthusastic attendees returned back inside the store to enjoy refreshments and shopping.
Everlume is located at 854 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935. It is open Tuesday thru Friday 10am until 5pm and Saturday 10am until 2pm. Everlume can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and their online store.
March 3, 2026 - During the Center Rotary Club's meeting on March 3rd, the group presented Center Middle School's My Sister Myself group with a donation check to help fund their upcoming 9th Annual Spring Educational, Volunteer Service, and College Tour.
The organization is for 8th grade girls and was created to empower young girls to be future leaders of our community. Rotary was excited to be able to contribe to those who may one day be future leaders in the community and hopefully future Rotarians. Both My Sister Myself and Rotary are service clubs and share the belief of service above self.
Rotary President-Elect Chad Nehring presented the check to Emily Bustos who accepted on behalf of the organization. Additional My Sister Myself members present were Ja'Zion Jenkins, Evelyn Wyatt, Alison Alpuche, and Anita Williams (teacher and director).
March 3, 2026 - The Fannie Brown Booth Library is pleased to announce more new books in the Young Adult genre (high school/college age). These books were purchased with funds from the 2025 Texas Book Festival Grant that the library received.
The books include the popular "The Inheritance Games" series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes; "The Woven Kingdom and other books by New York Times best-selling author Tahereh Mafi, and the "Journey to Impossible Places" series and "The Dragon Riders" series by Ted Dekker, and many more.
The library has also received additional Spanish-language books made possible by the grant. Come check them out!
"Tuffy" Green (left) and Danny Arvello (right) are seen spotting bids on a cake being auctioned during the evening's gathering.
March 2, 2026 - (Photo Album) - Timpson Masonic Lodge 437 hosted a Meet The Candidates gathering on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at their location on Washington Street.
“Tuffy” Green led the program with fellow Masons Danny Arvello and Dondi Tipton. Each candidate that was present had an opportunity to address their constituents about the office to which they were seeking election.
As the evening progressed, not only did “Tuffy” Green don the hat of moderator, he was also auctioneer for several baked goods. In between each candidates time at the podium, cakes and other sweet options were offered and received generous attention from several bidders. "Tuffy" Green explained the proceeds from the auction would go toward Lodge structural repairs and scholarships the group presents to students annually.
Tom Bellmyer, Precinct 4 Commissioner, is not seeking re-election. He took the opportunity to speak with the gathering about his original motivation in seeking office.
Candidates taking the opportunity to be at the event included District Clerk candidates: Dee Dee Green, and Karen May Matthews; Precinct 4 Commissioner candidates: William “Lum” Edwards and Larry Molloy; and Timpson School Board candidate: John Grigsby.
Unofficial auction results were in the sum of around $3,500.
The final opportunity to vote in this election is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Click here to view polling locations.
February 17, 2026 - The Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library invites the public to come by and see the Texas America250 posters in our foyer. See the important role of Texas in our nation's history as we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4th, 2026. The posters are provided to the library by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The library also has an extensive collection of Texas fiction and non-fiction books featuring stories from local authors such as Bob Bowman, Larry Enmon, Terri Lacher, Laura Murphy, Regina Brazzel, and many others. Get ready for Texas Independence Day on March 2, 2026, by reading up on Texas.
The following is an excerpt about Texas America250 from the Texas State Library and Archives website:
As the nation gears up for the United States Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026—marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence—Texans are already exploring the Lone Star State’s bold role in America’s unfolding story.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) invites Texans of all ages to celebrate and learn our history through your local library! We’ve launched exciting statewide programs reaching all 254 counties, bringing the Texas America250 celebration right to your community.
Texans of all ages are invited to join TSLAC’s statewide Texas America250 Reading Challenge and encouraged to visit their local libraries to view our traveling exhibits on loan throughout 2026. Traveling Texas America250 exhibits highlight historically significant Texas Treasures from TSLAC’s collections, many of which will also be on public display throughout 2026 as part of our Texas America250 lobby exhibit in Austin.
February 27, 2026 - Pineywoods Home Loans celebrated their new office location on Tenaha Street in Center on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 with many Ambassadors and community members attending.
Deborah Chadwick, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, started the ribbon cutting off by sharing, “Great group! Thank y’all for coming. Of course we are excited to welcome Jennifer [Ferguson] and Pineywoods Home Loans to our Chamber family.” Chadwick then presented the official Chamber Plaque to Ferguson inviting her to proudly display it in her business as well as to share with everyone about her business.
Owner of Pineywoods Home Loans, Jennifer Ferguson, told her story, “I'm a lifelong resident of Shelby County… I have always wanted to be a loan officer. I went to college for it, graduated with a finance degree in 2011 from SFA. [Then I] taught school for ten years because banking didn’t fit my children's schedule.”
“Anyway, after I got out of teaching and started exploring some other options, I was presented with the opportunity to become a wholesale lending officer and I was able to do so remotely and it worked with my scheduled perfectly. I've been doing that for almost four years now. I did it from home up until the beginning of this year and it got so busy, I had recruited help which came to my dining room and worked. And we just continued to grow and we decided really we needed to find a space in town so that our clients could have a place to come and see us in person and have just a little more personal experience. With wholesale lending, we just add additional resources that our local banks have. So, we're able to provide lending for some who may not qualify for traditional loans. And so we're able to help more people have the dream of homeownership. I've helped over 50 clients over the last couple of years become homeowners and just plan to grow that exponentially.”
Ferguson expressed her excitement for to be in this great new location. She then introduced her staff who are Jacqueline Randall, Executive Assistant; Ana Palacios, Loan Processor and Mortgage Loan Officer; and Basil Slatter, Real Estate Appraiser.
Finally, the grand finale occurred with everyone gathering together for a photo and the official cutting of the Chamber ribbon.
Pineywoods Home Loan offers a variety of products including FHA, VA and USDA loans. They offer competitive interest rates, quick service and fast approvals.
Jennifer Ferguson is a lifelong resident of Shelby County. She has a Bachelor of Finance from SFA. She and her husband, Willis, have been married for 20 years and together have six children.
Pineywoods Home Loans is available from 9am – 5pm, Monday thru Friday in office to answer questions that a borrower may have. After hours and weekend appointments are available. They are located at 333 Tenaha Street (next to Dairy Queen).
From left: Jacqueline Randall, Ana Palacios, and Jennifer Ferguson
February 27, 2026 - VFW Post 8904 members held a remembrance ceremony on February 27, 2026, before the Shelby County Veterans Memorial in honor of those who served in Operation Desert Storm 35 years ago.
The program was opened by Richard Lundie, Post Two-Year-Trustee, and he offered an opening prayer.
Operation Desert Storm veterans present during the ceremony are (from left): Mike Langford, Sean Martin, and Richard Lundie.
Lundie shared the history, “As part of the Gulf War, on January the 17th 1991 Coalition forces from [34] nations led by the United States began an aerial bombardment of Iraq. This was in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. A week later on January 24th, a ground assault began the liberation of Kuwait and the advancement into Iraqi territories. After 42 days of relentless attacks by the Allied Coalition, in air and ground, President [George H.W.] Bush declared a cease-fire on February 28, 1991, [35] years ago.”
Lundie Continued, "More than 2.2 million service members served during that era and an estimated 604,550 deployed to the Gulf. An estimated 1.16 million veterans from that era are still alive. 148 Americans had died in battle and there were another 145 non combatant deaths and 467 wounded. We have no known casualties in Shelby County for Desert Storm, but many served.”
Lundie inquired of the audience and those participating if there were any Operation Desert Storm veterans present and the three present included himself, Mike Langford and Sean Martin. Each shared a little detail of their experience in service.
Martin then placed the memorial wreath in honor of the Desert Storm Veterans upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
“Our presence here today is a small but heartfelt thank you to Desert Storm Veterans who died during the war and to those who survived and who have since passed, and to those who are still living. If it were not for you gathering here today, this day would have gone unnoticed in Shelby County. The service and sacrifices of these veterans would not have been remembered. We cannot let any group of veterans be forgotten, this is our charge, and again thank you for caring enough to be here today,” said Lundie.
In a final tribute, Taps was sounded presented by Post Member Mike Langford.
February 27, 2026 - The community and Chamber Ambassadors attended the Grand Opening of 4C’s Accessories & Stuff, LaRue pre-Loved Authentic Luxury Bags, and Artful Excell Studio on Friday, February 13, 2026. The businesses offer a collaborative boutique experience where style, creativity and heart come together.
Amanda Treat, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, welcomed everyone attending and shared, “Today is about celebrating entrepreneurship, creativity, and the courage it takes to start and grow a business. Each of these businesses bring something unique and valuable to Shelby County, from style and sustainability to artistry and innovation. They add energy and opportunity to our local economy.” Treat then addressed the owners, “We want to thank you for investing in our town and believing in the community. Your hard-working vision is what keeps us Shelby County going and to everyone here want to remember shop locally spread the word and show your support because that is how we help businesses like these thrive on behalf of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and our ambassadors we're proud to welcome you.”
Feleshia Thompson spoke on behalf of 4C’s Accessories and Stuff describing the many items they offer, “When 4C's started, there's like four girls, and I'm the oldest. So, each of the ‘C’s do something different. I do the custom t-shirts, custom memorials, custom tables. And then we have another ‘C’ that does the wreaths, flower arrangements. And then we have another ‘C’ that bakes the homemade baked goods, which we have red velvet cake, homemade pound cakes, right over there. And then the last ‘C’ we have does the financial funding part of it; the main ‘C’ is our caterer. She does catering. If it wouldn't have been for her, it'd be no ‘C’s. So we appreciate her and my dad today.”
Thompson then invited Candel Cloudy to speak about LaRue Pre-Loved Authentic Bags. “LaRue came about through the "I Love Timeless" and "Authentic Pieces" and I just thought that everyone should be able to own a nice luxury item and not pay the original cost. So, LaRue came through the love of just sustainability, secondhand doesn't mean, pre-love doesn't mean secondhand, it just means you giving a new life to a bag. I just, I want the community to be able to come in and realize that they can buy authentic luxury items at half the cost and they'll be more than satisfied with the items that they purchase here.”
Last to speak was Cory Thompson with Artful Excell Studio. “I’m a travel and studio photographer. My goal is just to provide people with beautiful pictures.” Thompson not only does photography but also videography and is located in the upstairs loft area of the store.
The boutiques are located at 110 Logansport Street, Center, Texas. They are open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 6pm.
Pictured above (from left) are Jerry Agnew, Daryle LaGrone, Vance Jordan and Larry Molloy behind the camera!
February 25, 2026 - Several of the Brothers from Tenaha Masonic Lodge 737 picked up trash along Spur 157 through the city of Tenaha on Saturday Feb. 21.
The Lodge considers it a privilege to serve the City, County and State in their ongoing efforts to keep Texas Highways beautiful! The Lodge has been serving the Adopt-a-Highway program for 16 years with Texas Department of Transportation.
February 25, 2026 - The University of Texas at Tyler announced the students who were named to the fall 2025 Dean's List and three Shelby County students made the list.
From Center, Rena Clark, who is in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Eli Shofner, who is in the School of Nursing, both made the Dean’s List. Also, Jaydaleeya Curtis, who is from Tenaha, made the Dean’s list for the School of Nursing.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must have completed 12 or more credit hours of undergraduate college-level credit in the awarding term with a grade point average of at least 3.75.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.
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