The weather has been spring like the past few days. Unfortunately we have had no moisture, rain or snow, to help out with the drought. The County burn ban is still in effect. The little weather graphic on Channel 10 showed the possibility of some rain Thursday. We will see.
*****
The 2014 Valentine King and Queen at Prairie Acres are Charles Gilbreath and Kathryn Woodward. They were crowned at the Valentine party at Prairie Acres last Friday. I managed to get a plate of cobbler and ice cream along with the residents. Thanks to volunteers Linda Chesher, Sharon White and Martha Hamilton for decorating, dishing ice cream, scooping cobbler, and pouring punch.
*****
Friona grad and former Friona resident Coach Ky Graham has his Breckenridge varsity girls basketball team, the Lady Buckaroos, playing in the regional quarterfinals this week. They play perpetual powerhouse Wall in Abilene so good luck to Ky and the Lady Bucks. Well done.
*****
The business section of the Sunday Amarillo newspaper announced several bank promotions. One of those was Friona graduate Adam Bandy promoted to vice president for First United Bank. He has been with the bank since December 2005. He is the son of Clay and Tamela Bandy.
*****
Some anniversaries to note: Randy and Doreen Stone 14 years; Rex and Darla Bracken 44 years, and James and Sue Procter a whopping 69 years on February 20. Congratulations to you folks.
*****
Saw a Facebook post from Leslee Upton Floyd that around the end of this month she will receive a kidney transplant from her husband Jason. The couple has been married for 20 years and recently found out they were compatible for a transplant. Leslee is the daughter of Martha Barker. Jason is the grandson of the late June Floyd who wrote this Town Talk column for many years. The surgery will take place at the Methodist Medical Center in Dallas. Our thoughts and prayers to Leslee, Jason, and the family for a successful operation and recovery.
*****
Maybe you’ve noticed that the Lowe’s Supermarket on West Park Ave. in Hereford is closing. They have been selling all merchandise for big discounts and will until it is all gone. The Lowe’s Mercado at Hwy 385 and Park Ave. in Hereford is now a Food King I’m told. Guess the now under construction United Amigos Supermarket is already having its affect.
*****
If you are in Lubbock Saturday Feb 22, the Lubbock Lions Club is holding their annual pancake festival. The hours are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The cakes are cooked fresh throughout the day and for the first time bacon will be available for purchase. The Lions have entertainment and activities and a drawing for a 50” television. Tickets are $5.00 in advance or $6.00 at the door. Either price is a good deal. Their press release says, “The Lubbock Lions Club is the largest Lions Club in North America.” Didn’t know that. Now I do.
*****
The hospital is offering a free education program presented by the Better Business Bureau on February 27 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the PMC conference room. The seminar will be about the many scams out there and how to avoid them. Everyone is invited. If you need more info call Rhonda Wilkins at 250-2754.
*****
Saturday Feb 22 a powerlifting meet will be held in Friona’s new activity center/gym. Lots of lifters will be competing and admission is free so if you have never seen the squat and lift and grunt competition come on out. Should start around 8 a.m. and run into the afternoon. A concession stand will be open. Also Saturday the Chieftains baseball team will host Hale Center for a game here. Starts at 12:30 p.m.
*****
One of my favorite events is coming soon. The St. Teresa’s Catholic Church Mexican dinner is Sunday March 2 at the parish hall. Serving is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Beef enchiladas, rice, beans, tacos, chips, salsa, dessert, coffee or tea, all for $10.00 adults and $5 kids under 10 years. As I have said before the Catholic church ladies’ salsa is among the best ever. Treat yourself.
Mercedes Williams, one of those nice church ladies, said the St. Teresa’s senior class banquet will be Monday March 24 at 6:00 p.m. Hard to believe it is time to think about the Class of 2014 graduation already.
*****
This Sunday, February 23, the Friona Methodist Church will have a lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. to benefit the King’s Manor Assisted Living facility in Hereford. Free-will donations will be accepted at the door. See more in the story in this Star.
*****
That first week of March is going to be a busy one. Mexican dinner Sunday, election day Tuesday, Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday, World Day of Prayer Friday, Brumley benefit dinner Saturday, and Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday March 9, followed by spring break.
*****
The World Day of Prayer will be held March 7 at 12:00 noon in the Friona Methodist Church fellowship hall for the 2014 worship celebration written by World Day of Prayer, Egypt. This prayer time is open to all in the community who want to pray for a better world. A simple meal will be provided followed by scripture reading and prayer. Donations will be made for Youth With a Mission, a non-denominational mission group. Friona graduate Debbie Reeve has served with this group for a number of years. If you would like more information about the World Day of Prayer contact Sharon White.
*****
A reception will be held Sunday February 23 from 2 - 4 p.m. in the lobby of Parmer Medical Center to welcome our new doctor to Friona, Dr. Gary Webb. He has been here a couple of months and came to us from Hawaii. Have a look at his bio and the reception announcement on the back page this week and stop by the hospital to welcome Dr. Webb to Friona. A nice addition to our already excellent hospital and clinic staff.
*****
We have an obituary in today’s Star for Phillip Dean Bates. His birthday is exactly one year after mine. The obituary did not mention a Friona connection so I inquired to Dusty Hansard on Facebook what his connection was to Friona. I’m interested in folks and their ties to Friona history.
Several local citizens replied and the responses were interesting and appreciated. Seems Phillip Bates’ mother, Martha Bates, was a very revered school teacher in Friona many years ago. She was Lorraine Welch’s sister. Phillip’s brother Dwight graduated from Friona in 1963, lives in Athens, Tx and is a podiatrist. Martha Bates taught Sherry Walker Zehner and Carolyn Wiseman in 5th grade.
Apparently Phillip Bates was also a Friona teacher. Connie Slagle emailed that she was in his 7th grade science class the day Mr. Jarboe came to tell them about President Kennedy’s assassination. Thank you all for the insight. Phillip Bates was buried Wednesday alongside his parents in the Friona Cemetery.
*****
Sample Democrat and Republican ballots are printed on page 7. Early voting in Friona next week at Friona Interbank will be Monday and Thursday, hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Election day is March 4. Sign-up for local city, school board, and hospital district positions continues to February 28. Have a great weekend. Until then!
*****
