Christmas is in the air and a cold front is on the way this week. They are predicting snow flurries this weekend and single digit temperatures. If you do not like the cold weather and prefer not to spend time out in the elements, it is a good time to stock up. If you must be out, remember to bundle up and take care.
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Happy 60th Anniversary wishes go out to Orzal and Phyllis Blake! They will be celebrating 60 years together on Tuesday, December 26.
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We got a package in the mail this week from Ben and Butch McCain out in Hollywood. Inside the package were two boxes of gourmet dark chocolate covered biscuits and a big Merry Christmas. Thank you Ben and Butch for the goodies and we miss Ron too.
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Linda White stopped by the office this week to deliver the Congregational Women’s Fellowship 2018 Community Birthday Calendar and a Christmas container of yummy pecans. Linda has been bringing us these goodies for a long time and we enjoy every bite. Thank you, Linda.
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A Love Fund has been established for the Riethmayer family at both the Friona and Hereford First National Bank locations.
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The Friona Chamber of Commerce announced this week that the Annual Chamber Awards Banquet will be March 6. Start making plans to nominate your choice for Man/Woman of the Year, Students of the Year, Employee of the Year, Educator of the Year and Citizen of the Year.
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The Chamber also reminds everyone that is not a member to think about joining in 2018.
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Action for an Ambulance Fund is still taking donations for the purchase of a new ambulance for Friona. Contact Kitty Gallman, Sharon White or Kathryn Goddard for more information.
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The holidays are a happy time but can be very stressful if you are a caregiver. Think about attending the Caregiver Coffee Break on Friday, January 5. They meet every month on the first Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the First National Bank Community Room in Friona.
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Stop by the City of Friona offices on Friday, December 29 from noon to 4:30 p.m. to wish Friona City Manager Patricia Phipps a happy retirement.
The new City Manager Leander Davila will be starting his new duties in 2018. Welcome back, Leander!
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JUST A REMINDER-The Friona Star will be closed from December 22 to January 2. If you have an emergency call (806) 206-9524.
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The winners of the 2017 Ho! Ho! Home for the Holidays were announced this week. They are:
A-1 Service Center-Ruben Lopez, Sr.
Bi-Wize Pharmacy-Elvira Arellano
Blackburn Hardware-Betty Reeve
Fast Stop-Kattya Campos
H&R Block-Maggie Shelby
Hunan Star II-Jessica Godinez
Ivy Cottage-Alma D. Norwood
Kendrick Oil/Farm Store-Randy Highsmith
KrafTee Gallery-Keren Ortiz
Lowe’s Supermarket #3-Olga Mills
Malouf’s Fabrics-Raquel Garcia
Milk House Market- Casey Sharrock
Tasty Cream-Andy Balli
Vet Industries Feed & Supply-Louise Petty
GRAND PRIZE $100 FRIONA BUCKS-Nora Gonzalez
Contest winners will be awarded $25 in Friona Bucks Certificates to be spent at the participating merchant that the drawing was won. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded $100 in Friona Bucks to be spent at any of the participating merchants listed on the back of the Friona Bucks. The Friona Chamber of Commerce and participating merchants sponsor this contest each year.
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We heard some bad news this weekend. Rev. Joe Schulte has resigned his position with the Union Congregational Church. Rev. Joe, thank you for bringing a Harvey Christmas to Friona. You will be missed.
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Here a few Christmas statistics:
*Durham, North Carolina, has the lowest average price for a Christmas party ticket, $8.27, which is six times lower than in Las Vegas, the city with the highest at $49.99.
*San Francisco has the most Christmas events (per square root of the population), 0.038, which is 38 times more than in Tucson, Arizona, the city with the fewest at 0.001.
*Miami has the most Christmas tree farms (per square root of the population), 0.024, which is 24 times more than in Fort Worth, Texas, the city with the fewest at 0.001.
*San Francisco, California, has the most gift shops (per square root of the population), 0.209, which is 104.5 times more than in Garland, Texas, the city with the fewest at 0.002.
*New York has the most toy stores (per square root of the population), 0.145, which is 72.5 times more than in Detroit, the city with the fewest at 0.002.
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Parmer County Farm Bureau in Friona is collecting blankets for the needy. They will be accepting donations until Friday, December 22. Stop by and spread the warmth.
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I had a blast from the past walk into the office on Tuesday. Larry Treider has moved back to Lazbuddie to be close to family. He has lived in Las Vegas for the last 27 years. He has a new album coming out and I will run his interview in the January 4 edition of the Friona Star. It was really nice to talk to Larry and remember when we were younger. I remember his music from when I was a teenager.
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If you are looking for a last minute appetizer idea how about sausage balls? I have a friend that has a quick and easy recipe that will add a little zip to your sausage balls. Just blend together 2 cups of Bisquick, 2 lbs. of sausage (hot or mild or one pound of each), 1-2 cups of shredded longhorn cheese, 2 small cans of green chilies or 1 small can of diced green chilies and 1 small can of diced jalapenos. Roll into bite size balls and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.
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This week’s bale count for Friona Farmers Coop Gin is 23,022 with 103 modules on the yard and 1,271 in the field.
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Christmas is the proof that this world can become a better place if we have lots of people like you who fills it with happiness and hope.
