The Friends of the Friona Library will be hosting a retirement party for Friona Public Library Director Darla Bracken on Sunday, December 17 from 3-5 p.m. at the library. Everyone is invited to join them in celebrating Darla’s 35 years of dedication.
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The City of Friona employees will be hosting a retirement party for City Manager Patricia Phipps on Friday, December 29 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. Stop by and congratulate Patricia on her retirement.
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Congratulations go out to Prairie Acres Resident of the Month Veda Prather and Employee of the Month Lacy Hall.
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Happy Birthday wishes to the Prairie Acres and Heritage Estates residents and staff. Those celebrating birthdays are Melinda Brownlow (Dec. 6), Mario Carrasco (Dec. 11), Maria Rodriguez (Dec. 14), Elthie Hand (Dec. 17), Thomas Gertrude (Dec. 21), Benito Arizmendez (Dec. 23), Victoria Hollis (Dec. 23), and Eneida Brito (Dec. 30).
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Friona Heritage Estates has added a number of new activities including water color painting and Wii bowling. New Housing Manager Cortney Pena says the water color painting is allowing the residents to explore their creative sides and the Wii bowling is bringing out friendly competition.
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The Prairie Acres Resident Christmas Party is planned for Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. Santa will be there with local entertainment. Community Bingo is planned for Saturday, December 30 at 3 p.m. The community is invited to join in the fun.
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Bring some joy into a residents’ life at Prairie Acres by adopting a resident. Contact Elizabeth or Yvette in the Activity Department (806) 250-3922 to learn more.
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There are many chances in Friona to give back during the Christmas season.
The Empty Stocking Fund provides clothes and a toy to local needy children. Donations can be taken to Friona InterBank or co-chairpersons Holly Campbell and/or Jyl Grimsley.
Project Christmas Card is accepting donations to purchase a GlideScope for Parmer Medical Center. Project Christmas Card is sponsored by the Parmer County Hospital Auxiliary. Donations can be placed in canisters found in local businesses or at Friona InterBank. Deadline for donations is Saturday, December 16.
The FFA Toy Drive is going on from December 4-13. The FFA is collecting toys for boys and girls under 10-years-old. Toys can be dropped off at the FHS Ag building or at Ivy Cottage Flowers and Gifts.
The United Way is accepting donations to assist local organizations. Donations can be deposited at Friona InterBank.
The Ambulance Action Fund is still accepting donations for a new ambulance. Contact Kitty Gallman, Sharon White or Kathryn Goddard for more information on donating.
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The Friona Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is once again hosting Ho! Ho! Home for the Holidays encourage everyone to shop at home. By shopping at home and signing up at participating businesses you could win $25 in Friona Bucks and possibly win the Grand Prize of $100 in Friona Bucks. You have until Monday, December 18 to sign up. Participating businesses are on page 7.
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If you haven’t signed up for Chieftain Choices on Friday, February 9 contact Allison Johnston at Friona High School (806) 250-3951 or ajohnston@fisd.com
Chieftain Choices is a College and Career Fair offering students a chance to explore their options for careers.
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REMEMBER that the Burn Ban is still in effect. If you must burn contact the Sheriff’s Office at (806) 481-3303 and your local fire department to advise them you will be doing a controlled burn. If the wind gets up over 10 miles per hour or if the fire gets away from you, you are in violation of the burn ban and liable for any damages caused by the fire.
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Bovina will be celebrating Christmas in the Park on Saturday, December 9. The day will start at 9 a.m. at the XIT Recreation Center with arts, crafts and food and run until 4 p.m. Santa will be arriving at the City Park at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate Christmas in Bovina.
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The flamingos are still fluttering about. Facebook reported that there was a sighting of flamingos on Greg and Jamie Lewellen’s yard last week.
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The Muleshoe Journal reported last week that the Mules Head Coach David Wood and his wife will be retiring after 23 years. He stated, “This is such a God thing that I know it’s time.”
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Important note to parents and grandparents: The Friona Star will publish Santa Letters in the December 21 edition.
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If you enjoy “American Pickers” and have a unique collections then your chance is coming the week of January 14. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz will be coming through Friona. See the full article in this edition of the Star.
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As I was getting ready to start my week on Monday, I heard a familiar name on the news. Former Friona police officer Houston Gass had been nominated for Law Enforcement Today’s Citizen of the Year award. If you remember, Houston was shot in the face on January 6, 2015 while responding to a domestic disturbance in Pampa. Houston has gone through two years of surgeries and intensive therapy. He just recently took the job of Police Chief of Fritch.
According to the report, Houston is one of 19 national nominees. Each nominee has a unique story. To vote for Houston, log on to Law Enforcement Today’s Facebook page and place your vote and read all the nominees stories.
Congratulations to Houston!
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According to the Association of Mature American Citizens, not everyone wants to be trendy, particularly at Christmas time. As one frustrated shopper tweeted recently: “The upside-down Christmas tree is exactly why I don’t bother to keep up with trends-it looks ridiculous.” No kidding-upside-down Christmas trees are all the rage for some people this Christmas and stores are catering to the demand. In fact, Target department stores are selling them for as much as $1,000. It turns out, however, that the topsy-turvy trees for the holidays are not a whim of some self-proclaimed fashionista; they are a centuries old tradition in some Eastern European countries.
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This time of year is not the easiest time for many people. Remember to give hugs if they are needed…it might make a persons pain easier to handle.
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Houston Texan J.J. Watt and Houston Astro Jose Altuve have been named 2017 Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year.
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“Christmas is the season of peace and goodwill until you go shopping and get the bill!”
