Ran through a carwash in Hereford Saturday and of course it sprinkled enough rain Tuesday to mess it up again. Shouldn’t complain but would like to have had a bunch of rain.
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Talked with Dennis Detton at Detton’s Furniture in Hereford this week. He is having a November mattress sale. (See the insert in this Star.) Dennis will be one of several candidates for County Judge in Deaf Smith County since Judge Tom Simons is retiring.
He said that the late income tax filing date in January hurts businesses like his. Folks cannot file until the end of January so their refunds don’t arrive until February or March. Dennis said retail stores like his and many others rely on tax returns for sales and the late filing date means soft January/February sales. Interesting lesson in economics.
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The Country Market Arts & Craft Show will be held November 22-23 at the community center. There are 32 booths signed up and Canna and Jeff Ray will be running the concession stand again this year with big baked potatoes and brisket sandwiches among the offerings. Plus Canna’s evil good desserts. The Evening Lions Club will raffle two Kindle Fires. Make plans to attend and support our local economy.
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Monday is Veterans Day. All veterans are invited for breakfast from 7 - 9 a.m. at the Redeemer Center sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Then at 9:15 in the high school gym, the annual Veterans Day salute for all veterans and the public is invited to attend. Veterans can register from 8:30 in the hall outside the gym. Come out and thank our veterans.
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Tommy and Trista Stallings, new owners of Chieftain Sports & Fitness at 1017 Main offered a boxing class. In a bit of a surprise, Tommy said they had 60 people sign up. The first session was Monday evening and there was a parking jam at Main & 60. The Stallings’ are also organizing a Chieftain Youth Basketball League for kids ages 7-12. Players and teams from around the area are welcome. For info call Tommy Stallings at 806-200-2939 or email tommy@chieftainfitness.com.
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Billy Jackson is a long time employee at Parmer County Implement. His wife Delia is undergoing brain surgery this week. Parmer County Implement is selling $10 tickets to win a Yeti Cooler. The money will go to benefit Billy and Delia. The cooler is a $650 value. Go by and buy a few tickets or call Tricia Etue at 250-2721 and I bet she can figure out how you can donate. Thoughts and prayers to the Jacksons.
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Peggy Monroe says it is time to donate to the annual Empty Stocking Fund which benefits local needy children at Christmas. Peggy and her volunteers collect donations then travel to Amarillo and purchase clothes and shoes and a toy for the children. Names of children are provided by the school. Donations can be accepted at Friona Interbank or you can bring money by the Friona Star office. We are open Mon-Wed 9 to 5.
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The new owners of Bi-Wize are Josh and Christina Moore. The deal was closed this week. The Moores also own the pharmacy in Tulia. Andy Alexander has taken over as the Pharmacist in Charge at Bi-Wize. We have not talked to Josh Moore yet but will do so before next week’s Star.
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They didn’t send us any info but I think I saw on Facebook that the big sausage fest in Umbarger is this Sunday. It usually draws a few thousand folks I think. Must be good sausage.
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Heritage Estates resident Kenneth Neill celebrated his 91st birthday Oct 26 with family, friends, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Kenneth Carson is a new resident at Heritage Estates. Resident of the Month at Prairie Acres is Randy Baize. Employee of the Month is Lourdes Nieto who is a nurse aide and has been a PA employee since 2002. A big crowd was present for the Prairie Acres family dinner on October 29.
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The community Thanksgiving service will be Sunday November 24 at 6:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. There will be a worship service led by local ministers followed by fellowship and refreshments. An offering will be collected which provides funds for Friona Christian Ministries to help needy families in our community as well as those passing through with gas, shelter, and food. Pop Tarts and 16oz peanut butter will be collected to support SnackPak4Kids.
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Wednesday night November 13 is Family Fall Festival night at First Baptist Church from 6 - 8 p.m. The community is invited. Performances from Sonshine School and TeamKids classes, food, fun, games, and Clowns Under Construction from Hereford.
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Friona primary school is collecting Lowe’s Supermarket register tapes again this year. Save your grocery tapes and turn them in to the school or your child’s teacher. It helps the school receive some wonderful items. Autumn Sloan is the primary school principal.
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Last Friday was “Snapshot” day for school districts to turn in their enrollment to the UIL. Friona ISD total enrollment was 1172, High school enrollment was 327. The UIL district realignments will be given in February.
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I went over to Bovina for the St. Ann’s turkey and dressing dinner Sunday. Arrived about 11:15 and lines were already formed and serving had begun. I opted for a takeout because I was going to the high school musical at 2 p.m. Sunday. As always there were many Friona folks at the dinner and it was sumptuous as usual. The church ladies and youth were well organized with serving and clearing tables. I heard someone say they cooked 26 turkeys for the event.
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Speaking of food, the Band Boosters brisket dinner is Sunday November 17 in the junior high cafeteria. Serving is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $8 adults and $6 children 10 and under. No advance tickets are being sold. Buy your ticket at the door. Menu is brisket, beans, potato salad, hot rolls, dessert and drink. Takeouts will be available. Three frozen briskets will be raffled at the dinner. Might win a brisket for your holiday cooking.
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A big salute to the high school musical cast and crew and directors Allison Johnston, Deirdre Long, and Joy Morton. I am always happy to note the talent of our local kids. A two-hour musical requires a lot of work and timing. Once again the thespians were outstanding. I took a couple of hundred photos and you can find them posted at frionaonline.com.
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The Squaws lost their volleyball bi-district playoff game to Sanford-Fritch Tuesday night at River Road. The girls did have another successful season under coaches Bryan Masse and Darrell Ray. Now it is on to basketball season. The Chiefs play their final football game at Dimmitt Friday night.
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Former Friona residents Troy and Kayrene (Hart) Bass celebrated their 37th anniversary last week with a trip to Ruidoso. They are Canyon residents. Troy works for the post office and Kayrene and daughter Melissa Wright own and operate Thompson’s Gift Shop on the square in Canyon.
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The holidays are straight ahead. Christmas in the Park is December 2 with a Santa visit and Christmas lights. The Chamber of Commerce wants groups and organizations and businesses to help light up the park for Christmas. Contact the Chamber at 250-3491 and pick a tree. See you soon again. Until then!
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