How important is the CRP program? According to the Agriculture Department CRP provides $2 billion annually to landowners and these dollars make their way into the economy creating jobs. Each year, says the USDA, CRP results in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road. Big article on CRP from the Ag Secretary in this issue of the Star. Once a politician always a politician.
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Here’s another “watch out” tip: A news report said 12,300 kids went to the ER in 2011 as a result of injuries from falling TVs. Most were smaller TVs. Sixty-four percent were kids under five years-old. On average, one child dies from falling TV injuries every three weeks. Better keep the little ones away from the TV.
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Coach Cindy Moreno advises that cross country practice begins at 6:00 a.m. Monday August 5. All physical packets must be turned in before then. If there are any questions call Coach Moreno at 806-626-9436.
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Melanie Gallman Braun has been writing fitness articles for us. She reports that sitting at Reeve Lake every Monday for a couple of hours for her Walking Challenge folks she observes people of all ages enjoying the improved park area. Some geese get a little aggressive with the walkers. One walker carries bread along to walk peacefully. She says they measured the walking path around the lake with Google Earth and estimates it is about a third of a mile. She says it is a great place to exercise and commune with nature and if the geese chase you, you get an even better workout.
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Sawyer Osborn, Matt and Jo Jo’s son, was elected state FFA vice-president for the 2013-2014 year.
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Friona Farmers Co-Op Gin annual meeting will be Tuesday August 13. It will be held at the gin on south Hwy 214. Invitations will be going out soon.
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It is jamaica time. The St. Ann’s Catholic Church jamaica in Bovina is this Sunday July 28. St. Teresa’s Catholic Church Jamaica in Friona is Sunday August 4. Food, fun, games and music will highlight the afternoon celebrations. Everyone is invited to attend.
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First National Bank-Friona Banking Center’s Cheeseburger Cook-Off team won the People’s Choice award at the Saturday cook-off. Rickey Rector’s 1966 Shelby Cobra won 1st place in the Car Show.
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Some anniversaries to note: Bill and Jeri Lynn White 19 years, Dawna and Danny Roach 21 years, Candice and Eric Geske 10 years, Joe and Anita Lafuente 34 years, Christian (Hanes) and James Lee 7 years, Jeremy and Jeana Hardin 11 years. Happy anniversary to each and every one.
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Payton Smiley Gutierrez was born July 20. He is the third son for Jason and Ashley Gutierrez. Kim and Mitchell Smiley are grandparents and Ron and Melba Smiley are the greats. No doubt Kim will be by sooner or later with the photo and stats. Congratulations Jason and Ashley.
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Deirdre Osborn has resigned at the Friona junior high and will be teaching 6th grade English at Marshall junior high in Clovis. Ross Prokop, Coach Mike Prokop’s son, has been hired as a coach here. He comes over from Morton. James Andrews is the new junior high boys athletic coach. He and his wife Kimberly moved from Greenville. She will teach 3rd grade. Brandi Surman, who joined the district last year as cheerleader sponsor, has now been hired as the junior high girls athletics coach and will continue as the varsity cheerleader sponsor.
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Mason Loflin gave his parents Brent and Annette a scare last week. He was cutting some limbs and raked the chain saw across his knee to the tune of seven stitches. He should be fine when his Chieftain quarterback duties begin in a few weeks.
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The Fast Stop is getting a new tile floor so there was no fried chicken for a couple of days this week. All the tables were moved over to the Fast Stop side. It was a little crowded for a while. There continues to be a “Now Hiring” sign in the Fast Stop window if anyone needs work.
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LifeStar will celebrate their 20-year anniversary with an outdoor reception/party August 15 at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo. More details as we get them but I’m sure everyone is invited.
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I would like to say a special thanks to Betty Lamb and Chris Alexander at the Friona Chamber of Commerce for the work they put into the annual Cheeseburger Cook-Off. It takes a lot of detail work to put it all together so thanks ladies. The board members, all volunteers, deserve our thanks also. They are Julie Mason president, Gayla Quillin vice-president, Tricia Etue treasurer, Jeff Ray past president, and board members Tammy Borders, LaDonna Grubbs, Don Holland, Brett Hoyle, Allison Johnston, Diane Orr, Britny Pope, and Anthony Ramirez. Now straight ahead to Maize Days.
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Gay Stokes Bridges’ 17-year-old nephew Jordan Truitt had a 4-wheeler accident a week ago last Monday. The young man suffered a compound collarbone fracture, cracked the T1 vertebrae, broken ribs, collapsed lung, liver laceration, and some bleeding on his brain. Gay says he managed to right the 4-wheeler and drive it about two miles to the house for help. He remains in surgical ICU at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo. He will be there anther couple of weeks at least. Gay said a couple of years ago Jordan was injured in a car accident in Boise City where his dad was killed. We wish young Truitt and family a full recovery. Remember them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Last call for camps. Volleyball camp July 29-31 3rd - 8th grade girls 9-11:45 a.m. $40. Basketball camp July 31-Aug 2 3rd-8th grade girls 1:15-4 p.m. $40. Discount for both camps. Call Coach Darrell Ray 575-749-2880.
Cheerleader camps July 29-Aug 1 junior high & 6th grade 4-6 p.m. and 4-years to 5th grade 7-8 p.m. Camps are $25 includes a t-shirt and are at the high school gym. Register the day of the camps at 3:30 or 6:15 p.m.
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Spoke with Harry DeWit this week. His family operates High Plains Dairy but all of his several farming and dairy operations have been merged under a new entity, Blue Sky Farms. Harry and his sons Ryan and Jake will be traveling to China next week on a trip sponsored by one of his suppliers. They will visit Chinese dairy and farming operations and get in some sightseeing. He jokingly said they should feel like rock stars in China since all three of the guys are over 6’5”, a height not reached by many Chinese men. Have a safe trip Harry and thanks for the Core Power protein milk shake samples.
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Leonardo Castaneda of Friona was listed as one of 24 transfer students to receive a Terry scholarship to attend Texas Tech. The Terry Foundation was established in 1986 by Howard and Nancy Terry of Houston to strengthen Texas by identifying, developing, and supporting Texas high school graduates and to help young people help themselves.
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Stay tuned to Amarillo TV for details on a “Million Dollar Duck Race”, a bunch of rubber ducks which you have to buy and if your duck wins you win lots of stuff, maybe a million dollars. It is Sunday August 18 at Wonderland Park. You might have guessed that Duck Dynasty stars Jep and Jessica Robertson will be there. If you want to buy some rubber ducks call 806-376-4521 for more info. The whole thing benefits an organization that provides housing and services to physically disabled young adults.
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Prints of our Friona Star photos can be ordered through our website, frionaonline.com. We have reduced the price to $1.00 for a 4x6 print, $3 for a 5x7, and $5 for an 8x10. Lots of scrapbook memories still available. Order soon because we are considering discontinuing the online photo albums by year-end.
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Just before our Wednesday deadline we received word that former Chieftain Coach Mike Scott’s wife Michelle died Wednesday morning in Abilene. They have three children. No other details available at this time.
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We are heading into a busy season with football and volleyball practice about to begin, then school starts August 26, followed by Maize Days, the Friona Star football contest, and many fall events. We hope you come along. Until then!
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