We prayed for rain and got two days of wind and dirt. Maybe we should pray for some wind and dirt and see if we get rain. Saturday and Sunday the Panhandle was pounded with high winds and blowing dirt. Friona reportedly recorded a wind gust of 58 mph according to Amarillo TV.
*****
The trailer at Kendrick Oil on Main St. is accepting aluminum cans to raise money for the all-night drug free graduation party. All of your aluminum cans would be appreciated. Gary Stowers is the senior dad in charge of the can collecting project.
*****
Lisa Neill sent along a note that her dad’s store, Brockman Sales, was 40 years old on April 28. After 40 years Tommy Brockman has decided to try and sell the store and retire. Scott Land Co. in Dimmitt has the store listed. Congratulations to Tommy for the many years he has contributed to the community.
*****
Chiefs are in the baseball playoffs. They finished 2nd in district and play Littlefield in a 2 of 3 series this Friday-Saturday. First game is 7:00 p.m. Friday in Littlefield. Second game and 3rd game if necessary will be played in Friona Saturday starting at 12:00 p.m. They couldn’t find a suitable neutral field so they decided to play home and home. Good luck Chieftains.
*****
My brother Rick and I went to Littlefield Friday and met an old friend from Lubbock for lunch. We ate at the new Leal’s restaurant on Waylon Jennings Blvd. across the street from the Lowe’s grocery. This Leal’s is new, nice and roomy, and lots of good food and service. It is owned by Victor Leal’s brother Hector and his daughter Libby. Was surprised to learn that Littlefield has only one traffic light. Guess I thought it was bigger than Friona and probably had several traffic lights. We enjoyed the food and the visit.
*****
Received a subscription renewal from Harold and Trell Taylor, former residents and business owners in Friona, now living in Mineral Wells, Texas. Harold’s health has not been all the best the past years and we send along our best wishes to the Taylors. Glad to send you another year’s worth of Friona Stars.
*****
The Friona United Methodist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary November 8-9. First Baptist held its 100th this past weekend with many former members and pastors attending from out of town. Over 300 people attended the Sunday lunch, catered by Canna Ray.
*****
Mother’s Day fried chicken dinner at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bovina hosted by the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Youth Organization. Mother’s Day is May 11. Serving will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Plate includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, dessert, tea or coffee. Cost is $10.00 per plate. Carnations will be given to the first 200 mothers. Everyone is welcome.
*****
Parmer County Extension Agent Benji Henderson has resigned effective May 9 to take a position with the CHS facility in Muleshoe. He has served the county for eight years. Benji and his family live in Oklahoma Lane and he has no plans to move. All the best to Benji in his new career.
*****
Victory Family Worship Center will host the Class of 2014 senior banquet Monday May 5 at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Kerby says the banquet will have a Super Hero theme and there will be an iPad giveaway and some Super Hero self-portraits will be available. All seniors are welcome to attend.
*****
Basket winners at the Friends of the Library annual meeting Sunday were: Library iPad - Mickey Griffin; Friona combo - Patricia Phipps; Ingram’s - Bobbie Pierson; Veterinary Industries - Aaron Drager; Fitness Dynamics - Tracy Ellis; Friona primary Legos - Glendel Jones; Duck Dynasty - Nate Rushing; Bi-Wize/Prairie Acres - Randie Hamilton; and Malouf’s - Darren Gilley. A good number of us braved the wind and dirt to attend the library meeting. It was a nice meeting complete with punch and cookies. Thanks Library Friends for all you do for the community and our excellent library. See our little fiddler photo on the front page.
*****
Way to go Gayle Murdock. She was named Coach of the Year at the LifeSmarts national competition in Orlando, Florida. What a great way to close out a 38-year career as a LifeSmarts coach at Friona high school. Gayle will be retiring at the end of this school year.
*****
A tradition will continue next school year as Emily (Allen) Stowers has been hired as the FCCLA teacher at FHS, taking the place of her mom Patsy Allen who is retiring after 39 years of teaching. Emily and husband Andrew live in Friona but Emily has been the FCCLA teacher in Dimmitt the past three years. Congratulations Emily and welcome back to FHS.
*****
Parmer County Commissioners met Monday and heard the auditor’s report and treasurer’s report (see treasurer report in this Star). TxDOT issued a report that Parmer County has 1,048 miles of maintained roads. Sheriff Geries told commissioners he has an opening for a 9-1-1 dispatcher/confinement officer. It is full time with benefits. Call Sheriff’s Office to apply, 295-3303.
*****
During the Monday baseball game with Sanford Fritch, Chieftain Mason Loflin was sliding back into 2nd base when he suffered a broken left fibula, the outer and thinner bone in the lower leg. He will have surgery next Tuesday. Mason will miss the baseball playoffs but we hope he will be back for football season and a super senior year. Take it easy Mason.
*****
The First Baptist Church clothes closet will be open Saturday May 3 from 10-11 a.m. The items are free to the public. They have a lot of clothes and a few other items I think.
*****
Early voting in the school board election ends Tuesday May 6. Early vote is at the FISD admin building. Election is Saturday May 10 at 619 Main St. from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Four candidates are running for two positions on the board, Wade Schueler, Tracy Bunker, Brent Loflin, and Jose Cigarroa. As of Wednesday morning, 59 people had voted early.
*****
Mother’s Day is May 11. My son Zac’s birthday is Saturday May 3. He will be 25 and the good news is his car insurance rate goes down. Happy birthday son. Thank you all for reading and supporting the newspaper. See you around. Until then!
*****