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Around Town

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.

Pictured are (from left): Amanda Radney, Joanna Lopez, Amy Lindley, Charlene Jackson, and Baylea Cockrell
December 11, 2025 - The December 4, 2025 program of the Woman's Reading Club was given by two wonderful community service organizations. Amy Lindley and Charlene Jackson of the Center Police Department represented Operation Blue Santa. Joanna Lopez, Amanda Radney, and Bailey Cockrell with F. L. Moffet Primary School represented Cookies & Cocoa.
Operation Blue Santa started in 2015 when Center Police Department officers decided to start providing toys for kids in the community. A free event is held each Christmas season for kids and families, where toys, books, and other donated items are distributed. F. L. Moffett will host their 5th annual Cookies & Cocoa event December 13, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:30 at Portacool Park. Kids of all ages will enjoy hot cocoa, tasty cookies, face painting, a bouncy house and more. Each child will leave with a good book!
After the programs, the reading club donated children's books to these outstanding programs.

December 8, 2025 - Thank you to John Michael Burns and Farmers Insurance for your generous support of the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center!

Pictured are (from left) Mary Roberts, Derrick Roberts, Joyce Johnson, and Larry "Dude" Jones.
December 5, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 members gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on a cold December 5, 2025, to honor those who served and those who lost their lives in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 84 years ago.
Mary Roberts, Post Quartermaster, led the program and offered an opening prayer.

"It began when the Japanese aircraft appeared in the air above Pearl Harbor Hawaii just before 8am on a Sunday morning. When the attack ceased shortly before 10am, less than two hours after it began, American forces had paid a fearful price," said Roberts.
She stated 18 ships were either damaged or sunk, 180 aircraft destroyed, 2,403 were dead and thousands of others were wounded.
"Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke with forewarning words when he stated, 'No matter how long it may take for us to overcome the premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through absolute victory. With the unbounding determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help me God," said Roberts.

Larry “Dude” Jones, Post Member, then placed the memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
Taps was then played as presented by Derrick Roberts, Post Commander.


November 5, 2025 - The time is here. The Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center's (SCCAC) Annual Christmas Toy Drive runs now through December 12!
How can you help? Pick up a tag for a child from the CAC office, donated toys or gift cards to local restaurants and shop, or give general donations to support year-round needs.
Drop off any donations Monday through Friday during office hours at 131 Tenaha Street, Center, Texas 75935.
Thank you for your support during this Christmas season!
Call with questions at 936-590-9864.









