Schedule of Events for Relay for Life of Shelby County - May 17, 2013

You're invited to attend the ultimate Birthday Party tonight at the Shelby County Expo Center!!!

Capt. Jesse Amason Camp #282 Sons of Confederate Veterans Meeting - May 16, 2013
Submitted by Jim Barrett

The Capt. Jesse Amason Camp # 282 Sons of Confederate Veterans will hold their regular monthly meeting, Monday, May 27, 2013 at the Las Margaritas Restaurant, 110 Nacogdoches St., Center at 6:30 PM. We will be discussing the upcoming 2013 Texas Division Reunion, the changes to the division constitution and the election of officers.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend, and any male descendant of a confederate soldier who was in good standing is eligible to join. The public is welcome. Those wishing to eat are asked to arrive about 6:00 PM so you’ll be ready for the program. Contact Jim Barrett (936) 254-2618 for additional information."

Memorial Day 2013 - May 14, 2013
Submitted by Larry Hume

Shelby Country Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary cordially invite all citizens of Shelby County and surrounding communities to their annual Memorial Day Observance to be held Monday, May 27th, 2013. It will be held in the Historic Shelby County Courthouse on the square in Center beginning at 11 a.m.

The program will include:
1.Posting of the Ceremonial Rifle, Boots, Helmet and Dog Tags by Post Sr. Vice Commander Newton Johnson, Jr.

2.The National Anthem sung by Victoria Ford.

3.Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

4.Roll Call of Honor. The names of all Shelby County veterans who were killed in action or are still missing in action will be read from the Civil War to Iraq/Afghanistan.

5.Memorial Wreath Decorating. While the Roll Call of Honor is being conducted all citizens are invited to place a flower on the Memorial Day Wreath in honor of a loved one or someone they know.

6.Musical Entertainment by Chris Watlington.

7.All will then exit to the Veteran’s Memorial and Flag Poles outside to:

1.Lay the Memorial Wreath
2.Bagpipes by Joaquin Mayor Mike Wood
3.Taps Played
4.Raising the US Flag to Full Staff by Eagle Scout Kris Risinger.

Entries Now Being Taken for Shelby County Sheriff Posse Rodeo Queen Contest - April 29, 2013
Submitted by Ann Blackwell

Entries are now being taken for the Queen, Duchess and Princess contest for the Shelby County Sheriff Posse Rodeo slated for June 7 & 8, 2013. There are 3 age groups: Queen contestants must be between the ages of 16 and 24; Duchess contestants between 11 and 15, and Princess contestants between 5 and 10 years of age. Age is determined as of January 1. The contestants will compete in speeches, modeling and interviews, as well as horsemanship competition. All competition is open to the public except for the personal interview portion. Entry is open to eligible young ladies who reside in Texas and/ or Louisiana if they are current members of the Texas Jr High or High School Rodeo Association.

For more information and entry form, contact Ann Blackwell at 936-590-1855 or 936-590-9126 or you can email at tablackwell@yahoo.com. Entry deadline is June1. A short clinic will be held for all contestants on Sunday afternoon, May 19, from 1:30 to 5:30. The cost is $15 to cover materials. Please call and register by May 17.

2013 Shelby County Playdays - March 8, 2013
Submitted by Carmen Hibbard

The 8th year of the Shelby County Sheriff's Posse Playday is just around the corner. Mark you calendar and don't miss out on the fun and excitement and prizes. Last year's playday gave out $18,000 in prizes! The Playdays start in 2013 on January 5th with the 1st of 8 series to be held at the Shelby County Expo Center, Center, Texas. Additional dates are June 22nd, July 13th, and August 10th. Weather day if needed is April 20th.

Prizes will be given at the end of the series. Prizes include saddles, buckles, tack, etc. Top 8 contestants and the top event winner in each age group receives end of year awards. You must enter 3 or more events for High-Point awards. You must also enter 5 of the 8 scheduled playdays to qualify for end of series awards. High Point Award in each age group will be given at every show. Contestants can only receive high point award once in the series.

Exhibitions Barrels will start at 8:30 am with the Playday starting at 10:00 am. Entry per event is $10.00. Events include: Barrels, Straight Aways, Speed, Poles, Goat Tying, and Breakaway. Participants are broken down into five age groups: ages 0-6, ages 7-9, ages 10-13, ages 14-18, and ages 19 and over. Coggins Papers are required on all horses entering the grounds.

For more information, contact Nat Klein at 936-598-8453/936-591-1760 or Carmen Hibbard at 936-488-1798 or email carmen_hibbard@yahoo.com.

Operation Respect - May 21, 2013
Submitted by Larry Hume

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary is asking all who fly the United States Flag outdoors to join them this Memorial Day in “Operation Respect” by lowering their flags to half-staff. Flags should be lowered at sunup on Monday, May 27th and raised at noon the same day. If your outdoor flag cannot be lowered you can still show respect for the day by tying a black ribbon or cord at the top of the flag. It too should be removed at noon. Those who have given so much for our country deserve nothing less.

Center HS Project Graduation - May 17, 2013
Submitted by Allison Johnson

Center High School Project Graduation will be held this year Friday, June 7th at the Center High School. The location was previously changed to the Civic Center but has changed back to the High School. Students that have registered to attend the Project Graduation may begin arriving at 11pm following Center High School's graduation ceremony. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to CHS Project Graduation, please speak with a committee memeber, (Kelli Lucas, Chris Mayfield, Angie Teske, Katina Hubbard, Allison Johnson, Katina Hubbard, Tina Byrnes, Holly Burns, Noel Wilkins, Kirk Richardson or Ruth Gonzalez). Donations can be made to CHS Project Graduation, PO Box 656, Center, Texas 75935.

Clay Taylor Benefit - May 16, 2013
Submitted by Vanessa Massey

There will be a benefit to assist Clay Taylor on Friday, May 24th with lunch beginning at 11am, all other events start at 6 pm in the Napa Store Parking Lot, 797 Hurst St., Center, TX.

Clay is an employee of Toledo Automotive Supply and has been since 1982. Clay was diagnosed with cancer in June 2012 and has not worked since then. He is in the process of taking Chemo treatments now.

Hot dogs, nachos, frito pies and drinks will be sold from 11am until the event is over or sold out. Starting at 6pm, there will be a Car Show with Shelby County Cruisers and others participating in the show. A best of show trophy will be given later in the evening. A silent auction, live auction and raffles will be going on throughout the night. A cake auction will be conducted with area cake designers, decorators and well known individuals donating cakes and goodies.

Please come out and show your support for this wonderful person and OUR great friend! All monies received will go to benefit Clay. Any questions, call 936-598-5492.

Old Salem Cemetery Homecoming - May 14, 2013
Submitted by Venora McSwain

Old Salem Cemetery Homecoming will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, May 26, 2013. We will begin gathering around 10:30am and come enjoy good fellowship with dinner on the ground at 12 noon. Please come support the upkeep of the cemeter. For more information, call 936-598-9705 or mail in donations to 8612 FM 711, Center, Texas 75935.

CHS Alumni Association News - May 10, 2013
Submitted by Jason Locke

2013 Homecoming Calendar Dates

CHS Homecoming Pep Rally will be Friday Oct.11th at 3pm in the CHS Gym.

Homecoming Game will be Friday Oct. 11th vs. Diboll at 7:30pm at Roughrider Stadium.

Annual Alumni Association Meeting will be Saturday Oct. 12th at the Windham Civic Center from 9am-noon. (Hall of Honor Award will be presented during the meeting).

Homecoming Parade will be Saturday Oct. 12th on Downtown Center Square at 4pm.

Sabine State Bank to Host Blood Drive - May 10, 2013
Submitted by Donna Jolley

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and Sabine State Bank Center Branch will host a Blood Drive Wednesday, May 29, 2013 from 9am to 1:30pm. The donor coach will be in the parking lot. For more information and to sign up contact Donna Jolley at 936-598-8995. Remember be sure to eat, drink and bring ID.

Miss Deep East Texas Dream Girl Pageant - May 15, 2013

The Miss Deep East Texas Dream Girl Pageant is looking for girls to showcase their natural beauty. The pageant will be held June 1, 2013 starting at 1:30pm at the John D. Windham Civic Center, Center, Texas. Entry deadline is May 15, 2013. Competition division are: Baby Miss - 0-11 months; Tiny Miss - 1-3 years; Petite Miss - 4-6 years; Junior Miss 7-9 years; Pre-Teen 10-12 years; Teen Miss 13-15 years; Miss - 16-19 years. For more information contact Sandrel Slaughter 936-598-4189, Denetra Slaughter 936-332-8432; Deloris Thompson 936-488-8197 or email dreamgirlpageants@yahoo.com. (Click here for registration form)

Miss Black East Texas USA Scholarship Pageant - April 18, 2013
Submitted by Vanessa Davis

The Miss Black East Texas Scholarship Pageant celebrates leadership, beauty and elegance. The Miss Black East Texas Scholarship Pageant is a preliminary pageant for the Miss Black Texas Pageant which is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The winners of the Miss Black Texas Pageant will go on to compete in the Miss Black USA National Scholarship Pageant, where they could win up to $10,000.00 in educational scholarships and awards should they win the National Title.

The Miss Black East Texas Pageant will be held on May 25, 2013 at the Pineywoods Family Outreach Center at 4:00pm. All proceeds will go to the Justin L. Slaughter and Butterfly Wings Scholarship fund to assist Shelby County youth and to advance pageant winners. Visit the Miss Black Texas Pageant website at www.blackpageants.com for more information on pageantry opportunities.

The age categories are Miss Black East Texas Princess (5-9)
Miss Black East Texas Pre-Teen (10-13)
Miss Black East Texas Teen (14-17)
Miss Black East Texas USA (18-27)

The first sign-up and recruitment for the pageant is April 23, 2013 at 5:30pm at Create-a Critter Clubhouse 610 Shelbyville Street Center, Texas
For more information you may call Vanessa Davis at (936) 572-8153 or email her at vdavis@jenningsplace.org

Pageant Theme: "A Dream Come True"

Ramah Cemetery Annual Homecoming - May 14, 2013
Submitted by Ron Barker

Ramah Cemetery will have their annual homecoming on Saturday June 1, 2013. The business meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.. We will have a covered dish dinner at 12:00 noon. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for some good fellowship, re-acquaintances of old friends and an opportunity to make new ones.

American Legion Post 90 Memorial Day Celebration - May 2, 2013
Sumbitted by Jim Crump

Timpson Memorial Day Celebration sponsored by Timpson American Legion Post 90 and Timpson Independent Schools will be held Monday, May 27, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at the Gazebo on the Square. Special Quest will be LTC David Miller, Professor of Military Science at Stephen F. Austin University.

National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet - May 20, 2013
Submitted by Andrea Webb

Panola County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its annual turkey banquet on Saturday, May 25th, at 6pm at the Carthage Civic Center. Dinner starts at 7:30pm. Tickets prices are $55 single tickets, and $75 couple tickets, and JAKES tickets are $15 at the door. One lucky JAKES member will win a lifetime hunting license (must be present to win)! If you would like information on sponsoring a table, (8 tickets to the banquet, a gun, and more for platinum level sponsors) contact Bradley Davidson at 903-754-1762.

7th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Cannon Firing Event - May 14, 2013
Press Release

MANSFIELD, LA - A period Civil War demonstration, complete with authentically uniformed soldiers and equipment will be featured on Saturday, May 25, at Mansfield State Historic Site. Hosted by the 4th Louisiana Artillery Battery, activities will include live cannon firing demonstrations using a full-scale Civil War cannon. Visitors can also interact with and talk to the soldiers and artillerymen.

“This type of program helps visitors visualize mid-19th century history in a way that brings it to life and makes it real,” said Scott Dearman, Park Manager. “It gives them a sense of what it was like for Civil War soldiers in the field.” The program will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with cannon firing demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mansfield State Historic Site is located three miles south of Mansfield, Louisiana, on State Highway 175. Admission is $4 per person for ages 13-61; children 12 and under, and seniors 62 and over are free. For more information, call 888.677.6267 toll-free or 318.872.1474 locally.

Bark for Life to Benefit American Cancer Society - May 10, 2013
Submitted by Tracy Anderson

American Cancer Society will host a Bark for Life, A Canine event to fight Cancer on June 15, 2013 at the Carthage Civic Center from 8am - 1pm. Get your dog registered and get all the details @ : www.relayforlife/barkpanolacotx. Be a participant, a vendor or volunteer!! We would love Shelby County's dog lovers to come and enjoy this event with their Caregiver and friend!! For additional information contact: Gina Smith (903)694-2202.