Center ISD will be conducting their annual Substitute Orientation on Monday, July 31, 2023 in the High School Cafeteria from 8 until Noon. All approved district substitutes (new and returning) are required to report for this training to go over policies and be prepared for the upcoming school year. For anyone interested in applying to substitute with the district for the upcoming school year, please complete an online application here. If you have any questions please contact Holly Mikesh at 936-598-5642.

Leadership Shelby County

Taking Applications Deadline is Approaching

Applications are currently being accepted for the nine month long Leadership Shelby County program which is designed to identify potential leaders and develop within these individuals the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to enable them to actively participate in the enhancement of their communities. The program brings together a diverse group of 12 men and women, selected from applicants who have been carefully chosen for their degree of involvement in the community and level of commitment to the goals of Leadership Shelby County. Anyone in Shelby County who is interested in community trusteeship may apply. Participants will meet for one day each month from October to May to study specific topics including education, local and state government, health and human services, economic development, energy, quality of life and history.

Applications are available and must be submitted to the Chamber by Friday, August 4, 2023. Go to www.shelbycountychamber.com for an application or one may be picked up at the Chamber located at 100 Courthouse Square next to the historic courthouse. Applicants will be notified by Friday, August 11, 2023 following the selection process, as space is limited.

For more information or to have an application sent to you, please contact the Chamber office at (936) 598-3682 or e-mail secretary@shelbycountychamber.com

The Sabine County Beekeepers will meet for our monthly meeting on Monday August 7th at 6:30PM. We meet every 1st Monday of the month at 6:30PM at the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce, on the square, downtown Hemphill. We welcome the public to come out and join us. We have no dues, or officers. This is for anyone interested in becoming a new beekeeper or an already experienced beekeeper. For more info, call James at (409)625-4787.

July 30

5th Sunday Night Singing

Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church

Starts at 6:pm 5527 FM 417 East Shelbyville TX 75973

for more info call 936-590-1040

The House of Refuge Ministries will be having Family and Friends Day July 30 at 3:00pm on 215 Church Street Speaker will be Patricia Coleman of Perfect Love Ministries in Mabank Tx. Everyone is invited

Pati

The Dixie Youth Regional World Series kicks off activities today. The entire community is invited to the opening ceremonies at Roughrider Stadium beginning at 7:30 with fireworks show immediately after. Events, brackets and information relative to the 4-day tournament, comprised of five age categories totaling fifty teams representing Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas is available at https://worldseries.centertexas.org/

The Shelby County Chamber Ambassadors are excited to invite the public to a Ribbon Cutting for Christian Love Private Home Care, the newest Chamber member on Thursday, August 3 rd at 10am. The Ribbon Cutting will be held at the Chamber Office on the downtown square. Tina Hutto, owner of Christian Love Private Home Care says this business is a dream come true. For Tina, it is a ministry, not just a job, doing the Lord’s work by helping others and making sure her clients feel special, loved and are well cared for. Ms. Hutto became a CNA in 2014 and was a caregiver in 2015. She earned her Activity License in 2018. She has been a CASA Volunteer for several years as well. Ms. Hutto was born in Center, and is looking forward to caring for individuals in her home county. Tina says her goal is to help others, regardless of their financial situation or diagnosis. Please join the Ambassadors in welcoming Tina Hutto to the Chamber as well as show support for her new business venture. For for information contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 936-598-3682.

A fundraiser/medical account has been established for Sheriff Kevin W. Windham at Farmers State Bank. Donations can be made at any branch. The account is listed under Kevin Windham Fundraiser. Donations will be used to help offset the expenses Sheriff Windham will incur prior to and after receiving a double lung transplant. Sheriff Windham was placed on the transplant list June 21, 2023. A plate lunch and raffle fundraiser are set for August 18. Lunches will consist of chicken leg quarters (prepared by the Shelby County Cookers), potato salad, beans, bread, homemade dessert and a drink for $10! If any individual, business or organization is interested in donating an item for raffle, or to have a lunch order form dropped off or faxed, please contact Leah Chase at the SCSO at 936.598.5601, or by email at leah.chase@co.shelby.tx.us Please continue to remember Sheriff Windham and his family in your prayers during this time.

Timpson Area Genealogy and Heritage Society will welcome our own Dru Dickey as our speaker Wednesday, July 19, at 2 PM at Timpson Public Library annex. She will share her research on the Sparks family and how she connects to other families, locally.

Dru is the daughter of TE (Thomas) Sparks and grew up in Texas City. A retired teacher, Dru is an accomplished genealogist. She has served TAGHS as archivist, Librarian, and treasurer. She can be found most Wednesdays volunteering in the Genealogy Library.

Please come support Dru as she speaks. You may find you have relatives in common.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and Staff at The Pizzeria invite the public to join them at a Grand Re-Opening Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, August 2 nd at 10:30am.

The Pizzeria is a family owned business since 1972 when Mike Jones first opened the doors. Since that time, The Pizzeria has been a favorite place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, celebrate an athletic team win, and just spend time with friends and family while enjoying delicious food. Phillip Jones, who has been employed at Pizzeria since 1994, recently took ownership of the family business from is father. Phillip’s main goal is to continue the tradition of providing Shelby County and surrounding areas with great food at reasonable prices.

The dine-in was recently remodeled and reopened in order to provide an enjoyable spot for families to gather and have a good time. In addition, a TV has been added in order to provide a place to enjoy dinner and watch sporting events. New items on the menu include: chicken as a topping for pizza and salad, chicken bacon ranch pizza, spinach chicken alfredo pizza, buffalo chicken pizza and homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Make sure to mark you calendar and join everyone at the Grand Re-Opening of the The Pizzeria. The Pizzeria is located at 225 San Augustine Street.

For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The Shelby County Chamber Ambassadors are excited to invite the public to a Relocation Ribbon Cutting at SAKS of Love’s new location on August 5 th at 9:00am. SAKS of Love recently partnered with Hope Community Medicine and will be working in Hope’s Tenaha Clinic.

Christina Leary, Executive Director, founded SAKS of Love in 2017. SAKS of Love is a non-profit organization founded on the awareness of our senior citizens needing support and love. SAKS of Love not only provides assistance to senior citizens, but to families in need as well. They provide families with household supplies, clothing, food and prayer. They offer movie nights for kids with all free food.

According to Ms. Leary, “we like to help the older people and people of all ages with clothes and food. We like to give love and support to the community. Over the past few years, SAKS of Love program has grown. It started in the back of a car, to a living room, to a shed, to a barber shop, to an oversized storage unit and now to an entire medical clinic, thanks to Hope Community Medicine.

The partnership with Hope Community Medicine is an excellent opportunity to reach the community and offer additional preventive health and mental wellness supplies, services and options. SAKS of Love is open on the 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th Saturdays of the month. On the 2 nd Saturday, they serve the homeless. SAKS of Love serve Shelby, Angelina, Panola and Nacogdoches Counties.

On August 5 th , SAKS is hosting a Back to School Giveaway from 9am – 12noon. If you are unable to attend the Ribbon Cutting at 9:00, please make sure you stop by to see their new location.

For for information contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 936-598-3682 or SAKS of Love at 936-800-8323 or on their Face Book page or website.

The Chamber of Commerce Health Care Committee is hosting the July Lunch and Learn, Sponsored by Wiggins Farms, on Wednesday, July 26th at noon at the AgriLife Extension Office. Olivia Johnson, the National Watermelon Queen will be our special guest speaker.

Olivia Johnson is the 22 year old daughter of Mr. Shelby and Renee Johnson of Center. She is a Senior Nutrition major at Texas A&M University. Olivia is the daughter of a 6 th generation farmer and has spent her entire life in the watermelon industry. She has won the county’s biggest watermelon competition 8 times, served as the 2018 East Texas Watermelon Queen and the 2022 Texas Watermelon Queen. As the National Watermelon Queen, Olivia is a promotional ambassador for the National Watermelon Association. She educates the public on watermelons – their health value and versatility benefits. Olivia is available for promotions and events anywhere the watermelon is featured, including media, schools, festivals, races and stores. Becoming the National Watermelon Queen made Olivia feel she was becoming the person she was always destined to be, from promoting her family business, to the Texas Watermelon Industry and now representing the entire U.S. Watermelon industry.

Make sure to attend this fun Lunch and Learn to meet Olivia and learn about the health benefits of our favorite summer fruit!!

The Lunch and Learns are open to everyone. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP to 598- 7744 or to 598-3682. For information contact the Chamber offices at 598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The 47th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State Bank, is right around the corner – October 5, 6 and 7. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your creative side in art, quilting, canning, crafts, woodworking, metal art, photography, and baking (new last year)

All creative art divisions and are open to Youth (6 th through 12 th grades) and Adults (17 and older). The art division will also be open to Elementary (K – through 5 th ).

The Creative Arts Show, Sponsored by Ray Jones Chevrolet, the Quilt Show sponsored by Scull Timber and the Photography Show, sponsored by the Light and Champion will be held in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church. The Quilts of Valor will be displayed there as well.

Start taking photos, quilting quilts, canning your spring and summer harvest and creating art for these events. We want to showcase and recognize ALL our local talent.

Please visit the Chamber website www.shelbycountychamber.com for a complete list of the rules for each event along with entry forms that need to accompanied with your entry. Or contact the Chamber at 936-598-3682 or email at info@shelbycountychamber.com.

Ranger Youth Softball held their annual State tournament in Mt. Pleasant, TX this past weekend. Shelby County's 15U All-Star team battled hard and came up with a 4th place finish against some fierce Texas state-level competition including teams from Anahuac, Huffman, Franklin County, Jefferson, Daingerfield, Coldspring, Bonham, and Palestine. With excellent pitching, hitting and some ESPN Highlight-worthy plays, the 100+ degree temps and multiple rain delays didn't stop these young ladies in a tournament that began Friday evening and concluded in the wee hours Sunday night. Shelby County was well represented by players:

Chelsea Arcibar - Center League

Autumn Bennett - Center League

Peytin Cook - Center League

Landry Davis - Center League

Sophie Ellington - Shelbyville League

Cadee Harley - Shelbyville League

Karma Sholar - Shelbyville League

Abbi Stringer - Center League

Heidi Stutts - Shelbyville League

River Wilkinson - Shelbyville League

The team is coached by head coach Christie Stringer and assistant coaches Brandon Bennett and Dustin Bennett. Their coaches and parents are extremely proud of their sportsmanship and grit. The future is definitely bright for these young ladies!

A fundraiser/medical account has been established for Sheriff Kevin W. Windham at Farmers State Bank. Donations can be made at any branch. The account is listed under Kevin Windham Fundraiser. Donations will be used to help offset the expenses Sheriff Windham will incur prior to and after receiving a double lung transplant. Sheriff Windham was placed on the transplant list June 21, 2023.

A plate lunch and raffle fundraiser is set for August 18. If any individual, business or organization is interested in making a donation toward the fundraiser, or would like to donate an item for raffle, please contact Leah Chase at 936.332.1187.

Please continue to remember Sheriff Windham and his family in your prayers during this time.

TCCA-Harvest For Homes Produce Drop will be this Wednesday July 12th @ 9AM in the Ivan Smith parking lot.

A statement from Sheriff Kevin W. Windham regarding sex offender registration in Shelby County: The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for registering all sex offenders that reside in Shelby County, this includes offenders residing within the Center city limits. Offenders are seen on Tuesdays and Thursdays BY APPOINTMENT only. Offenders needing to verify, and/or make changes to their registration must contact Leah Chase, SCSO registration officer, prior to appearing in person. If you show up in person to make a change, you will be assigned a time to come back. “Appointments are required to disperse the heavy workload that this position carries. We have been as accommodating as we can in the past about letting offenders come in on their own time, but this just isn’t a possibility any longer,” stated Sheriff Windham. “Setting everyone up with a specific time allows us to keep a better handle on registrations.” To schedule an appointment, contact Leah Chase at the SCSO by calling 936-598-5601.

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 here in Center will be hosting our July Veterans Breakfast at Trails End Grocery and RV Park in Huxley, Saturday, July 15th at 8 a.m. All local veterans or active duty military are invited to join us for breakfast and some old fashion military camaraderie. No matter when or where you served, come out and let us buy your breakfast. Love you have you. Trails End serves a great breakfast. Information call 936-332-0349.

Pastor Jamie Lindley and East Hamilton Church of Shelbyville would like to invite you to a 3 night Revival August 3rd, 4th, & 5th at 6pm nightly. A special message brought to you by Brandon Digilormo of Insane Ministries. Food & Fellowship to follow on Saturday night, bring a dish to share. East Hamilton MBC 7325 FM 2261 is located 7.2 miles from Hwy 87 S. Turn onto FM 2261 at the old Patroon Store, now known as Boondox Steakhouse.

REVIVAL Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church Come join us for 5 days of uplifting revival Starts Monday July 17th Tue. Wed. Thru. Fri. Starts at 7:pm AND Sunday Morning at 11:am Mon. Tue. Wed. Brother Lamar Denby Thur. Fry. and Sunday Morning Brother Dave Boyd Music: Mount Calvary Praise & Worship Team Specials Welcome Finger Foods will be served after Friday evening Service. For more info call 936-590-1040