The front page of Section D in the Amarillo Globe-News last Sunday had a Friona connection. The story was about author Chad Gayle’s novel, “Let It Be,” due in stores Wednesday. Mr. Gayle is the son-in-law of Friona residents Dr. Gary and Nedra Cash. He is married to J’Mai. The Gayles live in New York but the story is set in the Texas Panhandle.
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Tickets for a $200 gift certificate for Joni Keith metal art are being sold to raise funds for the Chieftain varsity basketball camp this summer. Tickets are $3 each or two for $5 and available at W.T. Services office or at Creative Chaos & Chaotic Tees on Main St. Or you could see Annette Loflin or Adrianna Stowers. Drawing will be June 11.
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It may have been the shortest senior trip in history. The Friona Class of 2013 left about 3 a.m. Friday for Six Flags in Arlington, and arrived back in Friona about 4 a.m. Saturday. Reports are the kids and grown-ups alike had a good time.
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Congratulations to new Friona mayor Rick White. Along with new city council members Bruce Fleming and Alan Monroe, Mayor White will be sworn in at the Monday, May 20 regular council meeting. Kudos also to Ricky Barnett and Becky Riethmayer on their election to the Friona ISD board of trustees. Ricky was re-elected and Becky is a former board member who is returning to the board after several years absence. A thanks also to the candidates who did not win for volunteering themselves for election.
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Received word that Gaylon Rhodes of Bovina is having health problems and as of Monday this week he was at BSA in Amarillo. Our thoughts and prayers to Shelby and the family.
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That’s embarrassing! Monday I called city manager Phipps. She was at lunch so I left word for her to call me back. When she called back I couldn’t remember why I called her. I remembered later and called her again. She was busy so I left word again for her to call me. Then I made myself a note so I wouldn’t forget again. Life is a challenge isn’t it?
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Hannah Miller, daughter of Stan and Darlene Miller of Bovina, graduated summa cum laude from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales on May 11, 2013, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. She is a Bovina High School graduate. Summa cum Laude is awarded to graduates who have a 3.8 – 4.0 grade point average.
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The Friona city swimming pool will open for business on Tuesday June 4. Hours, times, cost will be confirmed later.
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The American Legion Post is asking for volunteers with hammers to come out to the cemetery Thursday May 23 at 6 p.m. to help put out the metal cross flag holders for Memorial Day. The flags will be put in the holders Saturday May 25 at 6 p.m. They could use some help there too. Plans are to have services on Memorial Day at Farwell, Bovina, and Friona. Tentative times are 9 a.m. in Farwell, 11 a.m. in Bovina, and 1 p.m. in Friona. We will confirm these activities next week if possible.
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Jim and Rhonda Murphree are proud grandparents again. Daughter Brenda Turrubiarte welcomed baby girl Olivia Joy Turrubiarte this week. She was 6 lbs 8 ozs and 21.5 inches long.
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County property owners have until May 31 to file a tax protest with the Parmer County Appraisal District. We ran a notice in last week’s Friona Star.
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This is National Police Week, May 12-18. We salute our Friona Police Department, Chief Frank Mooney and the officers who serve our community. On Friday, May 17 at noon there will be a short ceremony in front of the police department in memory of fallen Friona officer Joe Herrera who died in the line of duty on April 14, 2003. You are invited to attend. There will be refreshments following.
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Enjoyed the Friona FFA banquet Tuesday evening. Thanks for inviting us. The young men and women of FFA are the future of rural communities like ours. Ag instructor Tracy Blount has done a fine job of growing the participation in the local chapter. This is the first FFA banquet I can remember being held here in several years. Thanks were given to Bob Hurst for providing the meal, Charlie Pope for cooking the meal, and Marie Samarron and Linda Blount for decorating the cafeteria for the banquet. Honorary Chapter FFA Degrees were given to Kenny Austin and Greg O’Brian for their support of the FFA program.
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Sat at the table with Kalley Preston at the FFA banquet. She is an FHS senior and co-salutatorian of the Class of 2013. She received a volleyball scholarship to Wayland Baptist in Plainview. She said she will be starting classes at Wayland on June 2, getting a head start on fall classes. It is always exciting to see our young folks challenge the future with their lives and careers stretching ahead. Good luck to Kalley and her Friona classmates as they launch another phase of their lives.
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Monica Bermea saw a story on CBS news about a severely wounded warrior named Tony Porta, a Marine who was burned and disfigured by an explosion in Iraq. Monica was touched by the story and decided to sew a quilt to honor him. She found how to contact him through the Beltsville, Maryland newspaper. Then she made the quilt and had several local citizens sign it and sent it to Mr. Porta. This was his email reply:
“Hi Mrs. Monica. I received your package yesterday and it was beautiful. It means a lot to me and my family, thank you so much for your support. Thanks to people like you every morning I wake up motivated because I know a lot of people care about all the wounded warriors. I will hang it in my son’s room so when he starts asking me why I went to Iraq I can tell him to just look at the quilt and that’s why I joined the Marines and went to Iraq for all those wonderful people. Thank you to you and all the citizens from Friona, Tx.”
Monica has also made a quilt for A.J. Mungia, another wounded warrior from Hereford. She is a determined lady so don’t be surprised if she shows up with her “quilt signing pen” and asks for your autograph. A photo of her quilt sent to Mr. Porta is on this page. Bless you Monica for your thoughtfulness.
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Next week will be our annual FHS graduation paper. We are working hard on it now. Your favorite senior will be included. Signing off for now. See you next week. Until then!
