Congratulations to Friona hometown boy Jimmy Arias. He is the new Friona ISD Athletic Director/Head Coach. The decision was made after a late night school board meeting Monday. The candidates for the position were narrowed to four. They were interviewed Monday evening in a school board meeting that lasted until after midnight. Jimmy is a FHS graduate who has been an assistant coach and teaches world geography. He will not be teaching when the 2015-16 school year begins. Jimmy is married to Carrie, a special ed teacher. They have five children. Congratulations to Jimmy and family. I think it was a good choice.
*****
Easter comes on Sunday. Some may get a three day weekend by getting off work on Good Friday. Then it is back to work on Monday. On the other hand, Congress takes off for two weeks on an Easter break. They will tell you they are back in their home districts working hard for their constituents and fighting to put America back on track. Hope you enjoy your Easter weekend.
*****
Easter egg hunt at 10:00 a.m. Saturday April 4 in the Friona city park. It is for kids Pre-K through 6th grade and is sponsored by Calvary Baptist Church. They usually have areas divided by age group and some eggs have special prizes in them. All kids in the community are invited.
*****
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Myrtle Melton. She was a long time reader of the Friona Star and an avid contestant in our annual Football Contest. Myrtle checked the contest standings every week and if we had her total wrong she let us know. Once we accidently left her name out of the football standings list and she sent her caregiver Terry Morales to the office to straighten us out. She died Saturday in Hereford. She was 91 and will be missed. RIP Myrtle.
*****
Really enjoyed the Chamber of Commerce banquet last Thursday. Over 300 folks attended and enjoyed the prime rib dinner, the silent auction, the message from Brandon Slay, and the citizen awards. Thanks to the Girl Scouts for posting the colors and helping to serve the plates. Chamber executive director Chris Alexander fell and broke her shoulder at the community center Thursday afternoon while they were decorating. After a trip to the hospital ER, she was at the banquet with her arm in a sling carrying on like a trooper.
A BIG thanks to everyone who had anything to do with organizing the banquet, sponsoring events, buying gold tables, bidding on auction items, and those who bought tickets and attended. Special thanks to the Chamber Board of Directors and to Parmer County Implement for furnishing the steak knives again this year. And thanks to Rick White, Charlie Pope, Scott Pohlman and the Cargill crew for providing and cooking the prime rib. It was a nice evening.
*****
Recognized with Chamber citizen awards were: Karen Baker, Paco Feedyard, Most Courteous Employee; Brandon Berend, Boy Student of the Year; Karina Hernandez, Girl Student of the Year; Tracy Blount, Teacher of the Year; Anna Jo Blackburn, Woman of the Year; Cris Ingram, Man of the Year; and Larry and Sharon Rector, Citizens of the Year. Congratulations to each of these folks.
*****
Anniversary time: Ricky and Erin Barnett 20 years and Mickey and Linda Griffin 50 years. Two nice round numbers to celebrate. If you or someone you know has an anniversary please let us know so we can share with the whole world. Thanks.
*****
The Bovina Lions Club will hold their annual Easter egg hunt in the Bovina city park Sunday April 5 beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Bovina Chamber of Commerce is also planning some three legged sack races for the kids and grownups too. Everyone is invited.
*****
The Singing Men of Texas will be singing their way around Ukraine from April 20 - May 1 presenting 12 concerts. First Baptist Church of Friona is sponsoring Kevin and Carolyn Wiseman on the trip. Former mayor and Friona resident J.B. Douglas will also be traveling with them.
*****
The local Meals on Wheels will celebrate their 30th anniversary on Tuesday April 7 with a noon meal at the Senior Citizen House. The Board of Directors are: Tommie Mercer, president, Raye Jene London, vice-president, Tommie Boeckman, treasurer, Mary Joyce Barnett, secretary, Marilyn Stovell, Betty Wiseman, Loraine Anthony, Teena Hughs, and LaVelle Lillard.
*****
The Randall high school baseball team is 5-0 in District 3-5A and looking pretty solid. Their head coach is FHS product Cory Hamilton, son of Randie and the late Charles Hamilton. He was an outstanding baseball player in Friona and for W.T. in Canyon. Good luck to Cory and the Raiders.
*****
President Obama has scheduled a trip to Kenya in July, allegedly to discuss global business development. He was in Florida last weekend playing golf. The first lady took a trip to Japan and Cambodia a few weeks ago to encourage girls to go to school. They have about another year and eight months available to fly at taxpayer expense and I think we will see them traveling to a lot of exotic places because they can. Just a thought.
*****
I stopped in the new donut shop, actually named Bakery Alexia, this week. It is at the corner of Main and 6th St. where the old video store was long ago. Except it no longer looks like the old video store. It is a nice clean place with four tables and nicely decorated. They serve donuts and pastries and Mexican sweetbread, plus drinks, milk, coffee, etc. They sell pies too. Stop by and see for yourself. It is owned and operated by the Ortiz family.
*****
Another Friona grad, Lacy Venhaus, daughter of Greg and Mary Lou Venhaus, was recently honored with a Teacher on the Rise award, sponsored by Mrs. Baird's Bread, United Supermarkets, and Amarillo National Bank. In the competition, students nominate teachers who they feel deserve the award. She teaches communications and is the speech coach at Randall High School. She received a basket of goodies from Mrs. Baird's and $100 gift cards from United and Amarillo National Bank. The student that nominated her, Chris Jackson, received a $50 gift card from the bank. And…Lacy is engaged to be married. That info will be coming soon. Congratulations to yet another FHS student for a job well done.
*****
Prairie Acres has 41 residents and Heritage is still at 11 residents. The Prairie Acres resident of the month is Donny Campbell. The employee of the month is Ashley Arzeta. She works in housekeeping and has been employed since October 2014. A special thanks to Martha Gonzales for 20 years of service at Prairie Acres.
*****
My sister Gena is coming to visit this weekend from Burleson. Haven't seen her in a while. We will be visiting and cooking steaks at my brother Rick's house. Hope you all have a pleasant Easter weekend. Until then!
*****
