By Wendy Case
County stock shows can be full of all kinds of activity… animals getting a cold bath on a freezing morning before the sun comes up, a runaway pig, a stubborn steer, a variety of foul smells, lots of laughter, and even a few tears. To many, it seems like organized chaos. To the families that show, the county show marks either the ending of countless hours spent caring for those animals or the beginning of more busy months ahead. Either way, most families love to see their child's name on the list of those that made it into the sale.
In Parmer County, the sale and buyer's meal is held on Saturday. The show ring is transformed into a dining hall and auction house of sorts. The top placing animals make it into the sale. When an exhibitor has multiple animals qualify for the sale, they take their top 2 and the rest are pulled from the sale. In turn, animals get "bumped" up the list and more kids make it into the sale. This year, 28 exhibitors got bumped. There were 147 animals in the sale, from some amazing rabbits to some incredible steers and loads of goats, sheep, and pigs.
While most people would say the show itself is where all the action is, the place to be on Saturday, January 16th was in Friona, Texas for the 2021 Parmer County Junior Livestock sale. That was the day the people of Parmer County came together and showed how great small town, country living truly is. You see, there was a boy named Grayson who had two older brothers that were a little disappointed that his 9th placed goat got bumped into the sale instead of one of their animals. Grayson's mom said he loves raising and caring for the animals but he doesn't love the showing part yet.
Several hours into the sale, it was Grayson's turn to stand at the front of the room, hold his white, 9th placed ribbon, and let the bidding begin on his goat. The bidding started and quickly the dollar amount began to rise. It got higher and higher and higher - all the while Grayson just stood there with a smile on his face not fully understanding what was happening - but his mother knew. When the auctioneer said, "SOLD!" Pam was in tears, something you will rarely see from her in public. Her son's goat had just brought in more money from the sale than any other animal had or would that day. But the goat had very little to do with what had just happened…
The crowd was on their feet - clapping, smiling, and crying. Everyone had come together for that moment to show one of their own that they were there for them and loved them beyond measure. Sadly, less than two months ago, Pam's husband Heath passed away after complications from COVID-19. He was a loving husband and dedicated father and he was grateful for the friends in his community.
This small Texas county that people pass through, usually on their way to somewhere else, wrapped this sweet family in a blanket of love, strength, support, compassion, friendship, and hope. It was truly a moment that warmed all our souls. Thank you Husted family for allowing us to walk with you through this journey. And thank you to the residents of Parmer County for blessing this family with immeasurable kindness!
Wendy Case is a Parmer County AgriLife Extension agent. County offices offer outreach education to individuals, families and communities. They also provide comprehensive educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development and community development.
Candidate filing is open for positions on the Friona Independent School District Board of Trustees, Friona City Council, and Parmer County Hospital District Board of Directors. The filing period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12th.
The general election will be held on Saturday, May 1st from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The FISD Board of Trustees has three positions up for election this year. The terms of Andy Montana, Jason Rector, and Antonio Rocha are expiring. School board members serve three year terms. Anyone who is interested in filing for the election can contact Claudia Castillo at the FISD administration office at 909 E, 11th, Friona Texas or call 250-2747.
There are three positions up for election on the Friona City Council. The terms of Bruce Fleming, Alan Monroe, and Jeff Stowers are expiring. Council members serve two year terms. Contact Rosa Mendez at City Hall, 623 Main, Friona, Texas or call 250-2761 for information on how to file for the election.
The Parmer County Hospital District Board of Directors will have two positions open for election. The terms of Ricky Barnett and Danny Kendrick are expiring. Board members serve two year terms. Applications may be filed in person between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or mailed to Parmer Medical Center, 1307 Cleveland, Friona, TX 79035. Contact Erika Carrillo at 250-2754 for more details.
Jim Taylor (right) passes the torch to new Fire Chief Danny Campbell.
J'Lond Jarecki, Fireman of the Year
Coffee Memorial Blood Center will conduct a "2020-2021 Fingers Crossed" blood drive on Thursday, January 21st from Noon until 7:00 p.m. in the Calvary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The Friona Community Blood Drive is sponsored by the Friona Noon Lions Club.
Call 806-331-8833 or visit yourbloodinstitute.org to schedule an appointment. All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to identify potential convalescent plasma donors.
Appointments are preferred to help with social distancing but walk-ins are accepted as the schedule allow. Masks are required.
All donors will receive a 2021 long sleeve t-shirt and a free pass to Escape the Trap House to try an escape room.
***
Texas has now distributed 1 million vaccines. Since Texas has 254 counties, that would work out to be 3,937 per county. Parmer County has received 200 vaccines. Parmer County's population of roughly 9,000 is .00031 percent of the 29 million who call Texas home. That percentage of 1 million vaccines distributed would be 310 for Parmer County. We have received 200 vaccines. Parmer Medical Center currently has 400 people on the waiting list.
***
Vaccination update
Parmer Medical Center did not receive a new allotment of "first dose" vaccines this week. Notification from the state that a new allotment is being distributed is not sent out until the day the vaccines are shipped. For those on the waiting list for vaccines, please be patient. However, if you decide to go somewhere else for the vaccine, you certainly have that option.
So far, each allotment to PMC has been 100 doses. They have received two allotments and have given 200 first doses. PMC should receive an allotment of "second doses" for the first group of 100 sometime this week.
When the next allotment of "first doses" arrives, the priority will be on people 75 years old and older, then 65 years old and older, then other adults with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk.
Examples of these conditions include, but are not limited to; Cancer, Chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies, Solid organ transplantation, Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher), Sickle cell disease, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
PMC is not charging for vaccinations. They are provided by the state and PMC will not charge any fees for the vaccine or for administering the vaccines. However, be informed that some clinics are charging an office visit and/or administrative fee for giving the vaccine.
Info for this vaccine update was provided by Gayla Quillin, CEO/Administrator at Parmer Medical Center.
***
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has ranked first among Members of Congress in number of bills sponsored that were enacted into law during the 116th Congress with a total of 20, according to GovTrack. By these metrics, Sen. Cornyn has passed the 11th most laws (54) of all Senators since the 93rd Congress beginning in 1973.
"In addition to confirming a Supreme Court Justice and nearly 150 additional judicial nominees, I'm proud of the bipartisan legislation we have passed here in the Senate over the past two years," said Sen. Cornyn. "I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of Texans and seeing what we can accomplish during the 117th Congress."
***
National Days
January 21:
Granola Bar Day
January 22:
Sanctity of Life Day
January 23:
Handwriting Day
January 24:
Compliment Day
January 25:
Opposite Day
January 26:
Plan for Vacation Day
January 27:
Chocolate Cake Day
***
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday to kick off the construction of the new library bookstore at the southwest corner of the lot. Trejo's Roofing & Construction is set to begin work shortly and an artist's rendition of the finished project is pictured above. Participants in the event were: Back Row (l-r): Katie Gilley, Anahi Gomez, Jeri Lynn White, Becky Upton, Tonia Abarca, Rebekah Baucom, Dennis Slagle, Mayor Ricky White and Front Row (l-r): Esmeralda Mills, Gerardo Trejo Jr, Gerardo Trejo Sr, Luis Trejo, Connie Slagle, City Manager Lee Davila.
Health Protocols for Voters and Elections (English)
County Disaster Declaration (English)
March 16 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
March 31 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
Letter from City Manager (English) (Spanish)
Friona Community Helpline (English)
2-1-1 Texas Social Services Hotline (English)
Share The Facts about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish)
What You Need To Know (English) (Spanish)
What To Do If You Are Sick (English) (Spanish)
County Clerk PSA (English)
Chamber of Commerce Letter to Businesses (English)
FISD Emergency Resolution (English)
Covid Risk Chart (English)
