Welcome ex-students visiting and attending the All-School reunion Saturday evening. I was told that most who have registered were from classes in the 50s and 60s but there are plenty others as well. The last count I had was 360 registered. The meal will be catered by Desperadoes, a popular BBQ operation. Rickey Rector will be in charge for a brief program but the main intent is to let classmates visit with each other. Dana Jameson and I will be there too taking a few photos and eavesdropping on all the old stories that will no doubt be told. Have fun and thanks for coming.
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Those California wildfires are horrible and scary. Have you seen the close up videos as families run for their lives. Guess we should be thankful to live in the wide open spaces of the Panhandle.
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St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bovina will hold its Mexican dinner Sunday September 27 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Carryouts will be available.
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The Friona ISD enrollment is 1,149. High school enrollment is 323. Both numbers are close to last year. This is a district realignment year. Schools have to turn in enrollment numbers soon and the new alignments are released in February. Right now there are 89 students in 8th grade and 74 seniors. When the UIL realignment numbers are turned in the 8th grade is added and the seniors are subtracted. There is always speculation about the numbers UIL will use to assign districts. One coach told me that Friona could move to 3A Division II instead of 3A Division I where we are now. We shall see.
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All veterans are invited to ride in the Maize Days parade Saturday. The Chamber has arranged a trailer for a veterans float. The parade lineup is on Euclid St. beginning at 9:00 a.m. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. For more info call the Chamber at 250-3491.
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Parmer/Bailey County probation office director Bruce Gipson will retire from that position effective October 15. On October 16 he will go to work for Deaf Smith County as a probation officer. His replacement in Parmer/Bailey County is Jessica Montez who has been a Bailey County officer. Bruce has been with the Parmer/Bailey County probation office for 10 years. Good luck to Bruce in his new position.
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The Thai City Restaurant there beside the grocery store has been closed for several months. Now a banner is hanging on the front that says "Coming Soon Thai Sky." Guess we will find out more at a later date.
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Jo Beth Gipson says they are still taking donations of 16 oz peanut butter and Pop Tarts for the local SnackPak4Kids program. You can drop off donations at the Methodist Church where volunteers assemble the SnackPaks every week. Or you can drop them off at any of our local churches and even here at the Star office. A new program called SnackShak is being organized for high school kids.
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You might have noticed that Famous Dave's BBQ in Amarillo has closed. It had been open for about six years. Our mediamobile crew ate there on the way to a football game not long after they opened. I remember us not being impressed with the service, food, and price.
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There will be an estate sale at the Nelson Welch house, 1001 Maple, on Saturday September 26. The house will also be sold along with antiques, household items, saddles, a 1989 Towncar, a boat, etc. See the auction ad in the Star this week and next week. The auctioneer is Johnny Horton who said he lived in Friona back in the 80s and worked as a nutritionist at Hi-Pro.
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Took a lot of photos of a lot of pretty girls in pretty dresses at the Miss Friona/Little Miss pageant Saturday evening. Congratulations to Taylor Stallings and Amberly Madrid as the 2015 Miss Friona and Little Miss. Special thanks to all of the girls and their sponsors that entered the competition and to the many volunteers that made it all possible.
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Things were "rocking" at city hall this week. Workers were busy updating the façade with a new rock look. Photo on this page.
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The Chieftains will host the Idalou Wildcats for Friday night's homecoming game. A homecoming queen will be crowned before the game starting around 7:00 p.m. with the kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Come out and mix and mingle and cheer on the Chieftains.
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A Chieftain player to watch is freshman Jonathon Hernandez (#13). He is 6'2" and 165. Jonathon plays wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive end. He is the only freshman on the varsity and is already a fierce competitor.
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The Class of 1965 will celebrate their 50th reunion Saturday. There will be a catered lunch at noon at John Taylor's barn south of the railroad tracks at 104 S. Main. The class will welcome visits from other classes to come at 2:00 p.m. They are planning for about 30 class members to attend.
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Big congratulations to Bernard and Lynn Gowens who celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. If you know someone celebrating an anniversary let us know. All the best to Bernie and Lynn.
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We will be out and about Friday and Saturday taking photos of homecoming, the parade, city park activities, Squaw volleyball, and the all-school reunion. Hope you will join in some of the activities. We should have a paper full of photos next week if we still have any energy left. Until then!
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