Well it is another week and that Idaho potato farmer on TV is still looking for his big red potato truck. As is normal out here we went from 72 degrees Monday afternoon to 19 degrees Tuesday morning. Fortunately the sun was shining so it didn't feel so cold. Looks like cold weather is here to stay for a while.
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Some big shoes to fill as Bessie Holt has retired as the local blood drive coordinator after 50 years in the job. She was honored by the Coffee Blood Center at last week's blood drive and they are now searching for a replacement. If you are interested in possibly being the blood drive coordinator give Bessie a call to see what is required. We have a blood drive here six times a year and Friona donors are among the best in the Panhandle. Maybe you and a friend might take it on.
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Enjoyed the high school musical Monday evening. Year after year we have many talented youngsters that perform on stage. This year was no exception. Can't let the kids out front get all the glory. Here is the behind the scenes crew: Clara Salinas, stage manager; Karen Meza, assistant stage manager; Mason Fleming, lights; Austin Mercado, sound; Noelia Gonzalez & Yodeli Castillo, backstage crew; and hair and makeup, Natalie Correa, Julissa Gallego, Lupita Salinas, Angela Hernandez, Salma Estrada, Faith Fothergill, and Jay Soto. Good job everybody.
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It is football playoff time in the Bandy family. Todd Bandy is head coach and AD at Floydada, Johnny Bandy is defensive coordinator at Plano West, and Levi Bandy, Todd's son, is an assistant at Pearland-Dawson. All three are in the playoffs this week. They are the sons and grandson of Patsy and Eugene Bandy. Johnny Bandy's Plano West team will be playing in the Cowboys AT&T stadium. If you know Patsy she has always been a proud football mom and grandmom. Good luck to the Bandy clan.
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Myrna Adams lives in the 500 block of Prospect. Monday morning her Jack Russell terrier had a barking fit at the front door. When she went to check there was a live Thanksgiving turkey on her front porch. The bird went to the backyard. She called the police station, who sent a couple of city boys out to capture the tom. She said it was quite entertaining watching the guys try to corral a turkey. She doesn't know where it came from. The city boys gave the turkey to Mr. Trevino who has other poultry and lives near the city barn. Please, no jokes about a bunch of turkeys chasing a turkey.
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The community Thanksgiving service will be at Victory Family Worship Center at 6:00 p.m. Sunday November 23. There will be a worship service led by local ministers followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. An offering will be collected to provide funds for Friona Christian Ministries to help needy families here and those passing through with gas, shelter, and food. They will be collecting foods such as canned meats, pastas, soups, peanut butter, jams, snacks, and veggies. They do not need green beans or corn. The community food bank is at Calvary Baptist Church.
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The DPS presentations on bullying and cyberbullying are next Thursday, November 20, at 9:00 a.m. at FHS, 10:00 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. at the elementary gym, and 2:00 p.m. at the junior high auditorium. All parents and community members are invited to attend one of the sessions.
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The electronics recycling trailer will be at the back of city hall starting Monday November 17 to collect your old computers, printers, TVs, DVRs, etc. This is a free service offered by the city to discard your old electronics free of charge.
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At last week's blood drive 74 individuals came to donate, and a total of 70 donations were collected. This is an awesome job by the dedicated residents of Friona and the area. For a town this size Friona is always a top donor for Coffee Blood Center.
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Some recent anniversaries: Rick and Sherry Carr 18 years, dairy owners Els and Koen Ally 12 years, and Carolin and Glenn Reeve 35 years. Congratulations to you all. If you have an anniversary let us know. We'll be happy to share.
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Hey Blaire Herring and the 5th grade choir! Outstanding job singing "God Bless America" at the Veterans Day program. As always the band and choirs and students provided a moving and respectful program to honor our veterans. The Cub Scouts posted and struck the colors. Brandon Douglas and Oscar Huerta wrapped up the morning's program with a TAPS echo duet. Thank you to everyone involved. Job well done.
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I stopped by the Veterans breakfast at the Redeemer Center sponsored by the Friends of the Library. It was a good choice since they served biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, and juice and coffee. They had a good attendance. Thanks to Darla Bracken and her library ladies, plus Friends of the Library members Jyl Grimsley and Tracy Ellis for providing such a nice breakfast. I especially enjoyed seeing Jyl and Tracy in their aprons. Reminded me of the old days when my mom and aunts would put on aprons in the kitchens during holidays. It was Tracy's birthday too. Thanks all.
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Our EMS, firefighters, and police were called out in the cold Tuesday night about 11:00 p.m. for a two vehicle wreck at 5th St. and Hwy 60. An eastbound car attempting a turn onto 5th was traveling too fast and hit a pickup that was stopped at the stop sign. A female passenger in the pickup was transported to Parmer Medical Center. K3 Towing was called to haul away the vehicles. Thanks as always to our first responder volunteers for your service to the community.
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Firefighters were dispatched Wednesday morning about 8:00 a.m. to Friona Feedyard for a semi-truck that was smoking and a possible fire.
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I noted that there did not seem to be as many veterans attending the Veterans Day program Tuesday. It seems we have lost many of our local veterans over the past year or so and many others are simply unable to attend due to health reasons. We salute you all. Will check in again next week. Until then!
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