Would like to thank whoever put two new phone books on the sidewalk in front of the Star office sometime over the weekend. The three plus inches of rain soaked them into non-use. We tossed them. All indications are the area received 3 ½ inches of rain over three days. Some areas in the county received more. Nice to dodge a puddle when you get out of the car at the post office.
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Everyone out here is familiar with the Big Texan Steak House’s 72 oz steak challenge. Eat it in one hour and it’s free. Lots of people have tried and failed. Over the weekend a lady from Nebraska ate TWO of the 72 oz steaks (that’s nine pounds) plus the stuff that comes with it, in less than 15 minutes. How is that even possible? They have video to prove it.
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Retiring teacher reception was Wednesday afternoon. We had a list in last week’s Star but Dennis Field announced his retirement too late for our deadline. Dennis joins Patsy Allen, Gayle Murdock, Cheryl Procter, Marka Herbert, Maria Jass, and Maria Vega as retiring teachers. There is a lot of experience among this group. We thank them for their cooperation with the newspaper through the years and wish them all the best of retirements.
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Congratulations to Parmer County DPS Trooper Isabel “Izzy” Carrasco on being selected as District Trooper of the Year. He was selected by Region 5B supervisors and presented the award on May 23 in Amarillo. Izzy has been a DPS trooper since 1996 and has spent his entire career in Parmer County. I have covered a lot of wrecks over the years and Izzy has always been pleasant and cooperative. A well deserved honor.
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The next Friona blood drive will be Thursday June 19 at Calvary Baptist Church. Lions will furnish burgers and fries. Donors will be entered in a drawing for a one year supply of milk. Tasty Cream, Thai City, and Los Arcos are donating meals in a drawing for local donors. To some donors who are turned down due to low iron, they say if you drink iced tea within 24 hours of donating it will affect your iron. So don’t drink it before you show up to donate. You will also get a t-shirt. A reminder when we get closer.
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Friona Methodist Vacation Bible School will be June 2-6 for kids that have completed Pre-K to 5th grade. Contact the church at 250-3045 for details.
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Monday June 2 begins the Friona Library Summer Reading program. It is Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the junior high auditorium. On June 11 there will be a Southwest Dairy cow milking program at city park. For info call the library at 250-3200.
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The date for summer drama workshop is July 7-19. More details will be forthcoming.
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Saw a new word this week: redivivus. Hard to spell and pronounce. It means reborn, or come back to life. Maybe one of our local pastors might use it in a sermon? Good luck with the pronunciation.
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Former residents Jerry and Stephanie Birdsong celebrated their 29th anniversary last week. Jerry was a Friona coach, Bovina high school principal, superintendent at Silverton, and is now superintendent at Stratford. Stephanie’s parents are Mary and Kenny Ford.
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Here in Friona Andy and Tabitha Carthel celebrated their 5th anniversary on May 23. Congratulations you two.
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Thanks to local American Legion Post Commander Bill Dannheim, Olivia and Gabriel Schilling, and Victor Rodriguez, all of Farwell, for presenting the Memorial Day service at the Friona cemetery Monday. The Schilling sisters sang the National Anthem and Victor played TAPS. They served in Memorial Day services in Farwell, Bovina, and Friona. Thank you.
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County commissioners have lifted the burn ban until midnight Monday June 2. No burning after then unless extended. Get to burning. Check our Facebook page for the latest.
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The Parmer County Cancer Coalition’s Walk for a Cure will be held Saturday June 7 from 8 a.m. to noon at the high school track. Donations will be accepted. Hats and t-shirts for sale and lunch at noon. For info contact Jamie or Greg Lewellen. Come on out and be a part of this community event.
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Received word that Jim Hudson, publisher of the Perryton Herald, passed away this week. Jim was 63. He and his sister Mary Dudley published the twice a week Perryton newspaper. He passed away rather suddenly. I knew Jim through the Panhandle Press Association and as a newspaper colleague. He had a long newspaper history. Condolences to the Hudson family. Jim will be missed.
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After a year teaching here, Deirdre Johnston Long and husband Bill are heading east to New Summerfield, Texas, over by Tyler. Bill received his degree this month from West Texas A&M. Much success to you both.
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Many around here will remember Joe Dillingham. He was a long time resident of the area, working at the Friona schools, Cattle Town, and doing a lot of handyman and yard mowing work. Joe passed away at the age of 80 in Plainview Saturday May 17. Graveside services were held in Albany, Texas Sunday May 18. Joe grew up and attended schools in Albany. He was a brother of the late Carrie Tatum of Friona. Condolences online at morehartmortuary.net.
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Brandon Berend will be a senior next year at FHS. He has bought a new riding lawn mower and is looking for some big yards to mow this summer. Contact Brandon or his parents Sandra and Roddy Berend. Hope you get booked up Brandon.
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I went at 5 p.m. Tuesday to vote. At the time about 80 people had voted at the Calvary location, a pretty slim turnout. Thanks to Tracy Ellis, Betty Wiseman, and Elizabeth McLellan for enduring 12 hours as election judges.
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Friona firefighters and EMS were called out at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night to the Brett Hoyle residence on W. 9th Place. Bathroom heater caught fire and lots of smoke in the house but no major damage. We appreciate out first responder volunteers.
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So long Class of 2014. Take some memories along with you and keep in touch. All the best wherever life takes you. We’ll see you again. Until then!
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