Rain and big hail moved into the area Tuesday afternoon. Firemen and Sheriff’s deputies were called out for weather spotting duties. The storm produced quarter sized hail and moved from southwest to northeast through the area. Scanner traffic indicated several vehicles pulled over to the side of the road west of Friona at Parmerton Hill because of the hail and rain. Tornado sirens were activated when some rotation near Hub was spotted. Rickey Rector posted that he lost a circle of cotton west of his house to the hail. Official weather guy John Gurley reported a half-inch here in town.
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Bluebonnet Home Health & Hospice and Friona Heritage Estates will hold a summer series for caregivers Friday June 14 and June 21 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Meetings will be held at Friona Heritage Estates. Coffee and donuts will be served. The HBO documentary on Alzheimer’s will be viewed with discussion to follow. The Bluebonnet folks say please attend for a caring, sharing, and learning experience. This is a community service. For more information contact Bluebonnet at 806-247-0057.
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The Amarillo Globe-News is conducting a most eligible single’s contest. You can vote on Facebook once an hour for your favorite. They have an online photo album of the nominees. Two of those included are a couple of Friona guys, David Martinez and Jonas Rios. David is a 7th grade science teacher and soccer coach in Amarillo and Jonas is a graduate student in communications at West Texas A&M. While I think such competitions are on the flimsy side it is nice to have Friona represented I reckon.
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As the school year draws to another close, several of our teachers and school employees have announced their retirement. The ones we know so far are Donald Herbert, Connie Slagle, Sherry Zehner, Gail Burton, Ophelia Florez, and Janie and Larry Gonzalez. As always we wish these folks well in their retirement where they will either get bored, travel a lot, or work harder than they did when they were working.
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Friona graduate Bridget Soltero received her Master in Education degree from Angelo State University in San Angelo during commencement ceremonies May 11, 2013.
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Named to Eastern New Mexico University’s Dean’s List for the spring semester are Maria Meza, Paul Onod, and Crystal Potts, all of Friona. To be eligible for the Dean’s List students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of courses with a GPA between 3.25 and 4.00.
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Class reunion: The Friona High School Class of 2003 will hold a 10-year reunion Saturday June 22, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at Harrigan’s Grill and Bar (Memphis Room) 3827 50th St., in Lubbock. Facebook page for more information and RSVP – search Friona High School Class of 2003. Need RSVPs by Saturday June 15. Or contact Mandy Geries Rigler for more info at mandyrigler@suddenlink.com.
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If you are an arts and crafts booth vendor you might want to take your wares to Littlefield July 6 for Littlefield’s Centennial celebration. Both inside and outside booths available. The outside booths will have the option of opening from 9 p.m. to midnight during a concert by Pat Green. Early setup available July 5. Booth prices are 10x10, 10x20, and 10x30, with prices starting at $100. For more info call Elaine Aragon at 806-385-0071 or 806-638-3658. Application deadline is Friday, June 14. Should be a heckuva celebration.
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He was a member of my ‘fence gang’ when he was in junior high, an outstanding Chieftain athlete for four years, still holds the FHS football rushing record, was class valedictorian, and now he is a doctor. Nathan Haile, son of Allan and Patty, graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio Sunday May 26. He can officially use those hard-worked for initials, Nathan Haile, M.D. Now he is moving to Temple for a residency at Scott & White Hospital. He is married to April and they have a baby daughter, Harper. It has been a pleasure to follow Nathan from junior high, high school, A&M football, and now to new heights. Way to go Nathan.
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The city pool opens Tuesday. It will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday for open swim and from 6 – 7 p.m. for ladies swim. Book a party by calling the pool at 250-5279. Caitlin Bronniman is pool manager.
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The Dimmitt city wide garage sale is Saturday June 1. They say around 100 participants will be selling stuff. Believe it starts at 8 a.m. You can get a map at the courthouse square.
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Congratulations to Doyce and Mary Joyce Barnett on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary on May 22. They were married in 1953. Congratulations also to Jim and Jane Dixon who will be celebrating their 55th anniversary Saturday June 1.
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A retirement party for Janie Sudderth will be held at the XIT Recreation Center in Bovina Saturday June 1 from 1-4 p.m. Janie has been employed at Bovina ISD for 50 years. Her family invites everyone to come by and wish Janie well.
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A pat on the back for Blaire Herring. She received her official teaching certificate last week.
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The Friona high school choir received six gold and twelve silver medals at the state solo competition in Austin over the weekend. Mrs. Johnston and the choir are completing another sterling choir year.
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Several members of the First Baptist Church have been in Moore, Oklahoma this week assisting with tornado cleanup.
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And finally this: Travis Spring is getting married Saturday June 8 at The Ballpark in Arlington (no game that night). His “best man” will be Hollis Gurley (she’s a girl). Travis is the son of John and Christie Wiseman Spring of Canyon and nephew of Susie Spring. Hollis is the daughter of John and Kathryn Gurley. The rehearsal dinner, wedding, and reception will all be held at the Ballpark. Travis and Hollis have been life-long friends. With arrangements being handled by many planners they told Travis all he had to do was pick a best man. So he chose Hollis. This may not be a first but I bet it is close. See you next week. Until then!
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