Over 7.00" of rain in May is the official report but perhaps we had even more than that in many areas. The rainfall throughout Texas and the nation has been unbelievable. Places have been flooded that were not supposed to flood. Many died in the flooding and much damage occurred. Fortunately we avoided flooding here in Parmer County for the most part. A couple of roads were closed due to high water but nothing major. We were blessed. Official weather guy John Gurley said we received 0.66" rain Monday night June 1.
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The annual summer drama workshop will be held July 6 - 18 with elementary, junior high, and high school rehearsals in the high school auditorium. Directors this year are Allison Johnston, Joy Morton, and Erika Montana. Cost is still $25 per person. More details later. Registration forms available at the high school office.
My boy Zac developed an interest in theater while participating in the summer drama workshops for several years. He went on to appear in many high school thespian productions at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Theater from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Today he lives in Austin and appears in various theater productions in that city. He attributes much of his interest in theater to the summer drama workshops.
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Ministers and youth ministers are invited to the second planning meeting for the youth rally and community worship service. It is Sunday June 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the Depot in the city park. If you have questions call Teena Hughs at 250-2377.
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Had a call from Jay Patel, former owner of the Friona Inn. He and Julie have settled in Columbus, Georgia and are back in the hotel business as owner of a Microtel Inn & Suites. They will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary Friday June 5. All sounds good and nice to hear from them.
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Anniversary kudos to Misty and Kip Frye who celebrated 17 years this week. Much happiness to you.
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The city pool is open for the summer. Kendall Kimbrough is the manager. Kendall completed her first year of college. She is a competent young lady in her second year as pool manager. The pool is open Tuesday to Saturday from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. I believe. Prices are $2.50 and $3.50.
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Deirdre Johnston Long has accepted a position as a junior high English (American literature) teacher at Lubbock Cooper ISD. Her husband Bill accepted the head boys basketball coach position at Lorenzo where they will be living. Glad to have them back a little closer to Friona. Good luck to both.
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Dr. Jordan Jamerson stopped by the office this week. She is in town visiting family before tackling a residency in dermatology at Scott & White in Temple. She is a Texas Tech graduate. What a nice success story this Friona grad is. We wish her all the best. Jordan was one of my favorite students during her high school years.
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It is fireworks time soon. Randy Geries says this is probably the Geries family's last year to sell their fireworks out by 4-Way Pump. The TNT Fireworks folks are still looking for someone to run their Friona stand this year I guess since they still have an ad on the classified page. The Chamber of Commerce is planning a big fireworks show on July 4 at Reeve Lake along with vendors, parades, etc. See the story on the front page for more details.
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Five Star Bistro is now offering a 10% discount for seniors 55 and older. They are also offering one free meal for every eight meals and the cash register receipts will have coupons on them good for 10% off your next meal. Stop by and check them out.
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Bad guys were growing on trees last Thursday evening. A Bovina police officer tried to make a traffic stop but the vehicle wouldn't stop. They continued to Friona, turned south on Woodland and ended up near the baseball field. The occupants scattered before being rounded up by Sheriff's deputies and Friona police. One officer found three of the suspects up in a tree. They were all illegals, were arrested, and will be turned over to the Border Patrol.
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Murder in Farwell. About 1:30 p.m. Friday May 29 Sheriff's deputies were called to Tuls Cattle Company four miles east of Farwell on Hwy 84. Jesus Morales, 23, was found dead from multiple gunshots. An autopsy was ordered by Justice of the Peace Jo Beth Gipson. Law enforcement began looking for Francisco Javier Moreno Gutierrez, 38, said to be in a black 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Both men were employees at the Tuls location. Gutierrez was apprehended Saturday at a residence in south Clovis. No reason has been given for the altercation between the two men. Gutierrez will be extradited to Parmer County for trial.
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The resident of the month at Prairie Acres is Carolyn Tollet. The employee of the month is Geneva Works, employed at Heritage Estates since November 2012. They reported 43 residents at Prairie Acres and 13 at Heritage Estates. They held a farewell breakfast for Dr. Jeff Dickson, the nursing home's medical director. Dr. Dickson is moving to College Station.
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First Baptist Church is collecting egg cartons, empty soup cans, empty plastic containers like Cool Whip, etc., for crafts to be used during Vacation Bible School June 22 - 26, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The items can be dropped off at the church office.
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The next Friona blood drive is Thursday June 11 at Calvary Baptist Church from noon to 7:00 p.m. Donors will get a t-shirt and be entered in a drawing for a one year supply of milk. See the ad in this Star for details on the blood drive. Give the gift of life.
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Happy anniversary to me. This issue of the Friona Star marks my 20th year here at the newspaper. Hard to believe. The Class of 2015 was not born when I came to work here on June 5, 1995, for Bill & Carol Ellis. Here I am, older and wiser more than 1,000 issues later. I bought the paper from Bill & Carol on June 1, 2003, another milestone of 13 years ago. I have been asked a few times how much longer I am going to run the paper. (Some seem to think I should retire. Maybe I will.) The answer is I just don't know. Until then!
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