What’s to talk about in town? Mainly school is starting Monday. Teachers have been in workshops and decorating classrooms and psyching up to hit the grind again. Welcome back students and teachers. Have a great year.
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Friona primary and elementary schools will have Meet the Teacher from 2-5 p.m. Friday August 23.
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Sandra Gonzalez Valdez and Sean Lookingbill both received degrees from West Texas A&M last weekend. Sandra completed her Masters. Congratulations to both of these FHS graduates.
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Sorry to report the passing of two Bovina ladies, Alma Clayton and Virginia Rhodes, and longtime Friona resident Louis Welch this week. Our sympathies to the family and friends.
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Robbie and Stephanie Barrett celebrated their 33 year anniversary. Gay and Norman Taylor observed a 55 year anniversary. Jerry and Raye Jean London celebrated 54 years. Congratulations to each and all.
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Teacher Melissa Randolph mused that she has had a first day of school every year for the last 53 years counting her school years and teaching years. Keep on chugging Melissa.
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We are told that our local Sonic Drive-In will be closing as of September 1st. Hope it is not true but seems like it is.
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Friday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. a yellow dragon will make an appearance at the Friona Public Library. The event is sponsored by KACV-TV of Amarillo in observance of their 25th anniversary. Buddy the Dragon will make his appearance from 1-1:30 p.m. Kids welcome.
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There will be an election on November 5. The Texas Legislature, in addition to passing over 1,000 new laws, has approved 9 amendments to the Texas Constitution. You will get the chance to vote yes or no on each amendment. Bet you can’t wait. Don’t forget you will need a photo ID. Question to those opposed to voter IDs. If a voter is not able to go get an ID how are they able to go vote. Just a thought.
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Citizens in Bovina have launched a campaign to legalize the sale of alcohol off-premises in Bovina, specifically in Voting Precinct 201, JP Precinct 2, not to be confused with County Commissioner Precinct 2. They are not the same. A petition has been submitted to the county clerk to get the issue on the May, 2014 ballot. They started too late to get on the November ballot. See the story on the front page.
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Lynn Gowens has said her great grandson will start kindergarten this year in spite of grave health issues. The youngster, Nathen Ferrell, is on oxygen. He is the grandson of 1980 FHS graduate Michael Gowens. Nathen lives in Florida I believe. If you are on Facebook “friend” Lynn and watch the short video of Nathen and there is also an article about the miracle boy. He has mitochondrial disease and his life expectancy is unknown. Our thoughts and encouragement to the family.
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In the Shallowater volleyball tournament the Squaws beat Christ the King, Tulia, and Brownfield before losing to host Shallowater. They play in the Littlefield tournament this weekend.
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Jordan and J’Lond Jarecki welcomed baby girl Jesalyn Kate on August 13. It is their second child. Congratulations J & J. Grandparents John and M’Lynda Jarecki and Alan and Leigh Monroe.
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Deidre Johnston Long, FHS grad and daughter of Allison and Bryan Johnston, and her husband Bill have moved back to Friona for now to do her student teaching here.
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“Politicians are people who, when they see the light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.” John Quinton.
“Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich by promising to protect each from the other.” Oscar Amringer
“I offered my opponents a deal: if they stop telling lies about me, I will stop telling the truth about them.” Adlai Stevenson 1952
Thanks to one of our readers whose initials are JG for sending us these gems.
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Chamber of Commerce exec Chris Alexander needs a couple of volunteers to help with lining up the Maize Days parade entries and getting info to the announcer before passing by the stage on Main St. The parade is Saturday September 21. Call Chris at 250-3491.
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Football fans have probably heard by now that all 2013 UIL state championship games will be played at the AT&T Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. For the first time, all 11-man and 6-man championship games will be played at the same location. December 14 for 6-man and December 19-20-21 for all of the 11-man games.
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Not only do government employees get paid well, they also get some fancy job titles. Consider this one for Chiquita Brooks-LaSure: Deputy Director of Policy and Regulation at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Sunday September 1 Holy Family church in Nazareth will have their annual Labor Day Weekend Picnic and Parish Fundraiser. Kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade followed by lots of eating and activities ending with a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament at 7 p.m. in the community hall.
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Nice turnout for the Meet the Chiefs & Squaws Tuesday at the football field. The new parking lot is going to be nice for football fans this year. Hope we can all figure out the traffic flow after the games. I joined the Booster Club for $20. You should join and support the teams. They had many t-shirts available and we all enjoyed the free chocolate milk and ice cream thanks to the Southwest Dairy Farmers.
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Speaking of dairy farmers, I talked with Harry DeWit of High Plains Dairy about his recent trip to China. He and two of his sons, Ryan and Jake went on a weeklong trip. They were joined by Harry’s dad and brother who came from the Netherlands to meet them and surprise the boys. Harry said they visited a Wal-Mart store. He showed me photos of various octopus, eel, and other meats on display there. He said they weren’t always sure what they were eating and there was an enormous amount of traffic. Gas prices were double what we pay he said.
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Deadline for Miss Friona entries is next Thursday, August 29. Forms and info available at the Chamber office. We press on towards fall. Until then!
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