This April, students at Friona Elementary jumped all over heart disease and stroke by participating in the Kids Heart Challenge Event. The students raised $5,318.81 for the American Heart Association, which funds research, programs and education to fight heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don't result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life.
Kids Heart Challenge is a program that promotes physical activity and heart health through jumping rope. It is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and SHAPE America-Society of Health and Physical Educators.
Friona Elementary would like to thank everyone who donated to the 2020-2021 Kids Heart Challenge campaign!
Top Collectors for 2020-2021 - Seated in the middle: Aiden Tafoya, Top Collector. Front row: (l-r) Jayden Choate, Jennifer Lily Portillo, Jace Farmer, Jesalyn Jarecki, Jace Jarecki. Back row: (l-r) Brynlee Smith, Isziah Snyder, Carter Lewellen, Jayleigh Contreras, Wendy Ha Garcia.
Friends, Romans, Pronghorn Antelopes - lend me your ears. Last week Lynn Nelson and Linda White contacted the Friona Star to give a "heads up" sighting on animals migrating just north of Friona near Hwy 215. Apparently the 12-13 visitors were doing a "walk by" looking for food. A spokeman for the lady lopes gave no discouraging words and the sky was not cloudy at all. If you see any playing deer or roaming buffalo, give us a call, we will be at home. On the range. Dr. Cash said that these four females were all "expecting" and that "Mother's Day" is a popular delivery date each year.
Richard Bermea sent in this photo, taken by a drone, of the new parking lot around the chapel at the Friona Cemetery. Cemetery "Clean Up" Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 20th. Work will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Cemetery. There will be refreshments available in the Chapel. Everyone is invited to come out and see the new parking lot and help clean up our Cemetery.
Texas Junior Anglers (TJA) is hosting a Kids Fishing Day on Sunday, May 16th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Reeve Lake. You must be 16 or younger to participate. All necessary fishing equipment will be provided. All you have to do is register and fish! Prizes and trophies will be awarded by age categories. Registration forms are available at the Friona Chamber of Commerce office or online on their facebook page.
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The St. Teresa Church Choir is hosting a Brisket Dinner on Sunday May 16th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The menu will consist of brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, coffee, tea, and dessert. Donations are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 10 years old. Proceeds will be used to purchase a projector and monitors. Take-outs will be available. Contact Susan Gonzales at 806-626-8602 to place an order.
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The Friona Public Library Summer Reading Program will begin in June. Signup for the program begins on Monday, May 17th at the library.
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A fundraising raffle is underway to benefit Friona Girls Athletics. The prizes are 2 Sides of Beef. The winners can choose to have their 1/2 Cow processed any way they choose. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. The drawing will be held on Friday, June 25, 2021. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, contact Coach Thackston at 575-693-4464.
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The Quality of Life Church at 301 Grand Avenue in Friona is hosting "The Church Yard Bash!" on Saturday, May 15th. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will include free food, live music, testimonies, and more! Everyone of all ages is invited to come hang out and worship the Lord.
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Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 15th and it pays tribute to the military personnel serving in the United States Armed Forces. President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday in 1962. The United States Military is composed of six branches, including the Army, Airforce, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
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National EMS Week is May 16-22. The first National EMS Week was observed in 1974 when President Gerald Ford declared the week to acknowledge the crucial work of this critical link in emergency medical care. A big thank you to the Friona EMS crew for the great job they do in serving our community. Work is currently underway on the driveways at their new location on East Highway 60.
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Despite a drop in the number of traffic crashes throughout the year, 2020 saw a spike in the number of fatalities overall and deaths of people in Texas from not wearing a seat belt. That's why TxDOT is reminding everyone that buckling up is the best defense in a crash.
Last year, the simple act of buckling up saved many Texans from death or serious injury in crashes. Unfortunately, in 2020 there was a 16% increase in deaths of unbuckled motorists. There were 1,073 fatalities in 2020 and 926 fatalities in 2019 due to people not wearing seat belts.
Putting on a seat belt only takes a few seconds and doing so reduces the risk of dying by up to 45% for people in the front seat of passenger cars and up to 60% for people in pickup trucks.
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Larry Gatlin, country singer known for his work with the Grand Ole' Opry and the Gatlin Brothers, will perform live in concert in Quanah, Texas on Friday, June 18 in a fundraiser for the Quanah Parker Society. Gatlin is one part of the first annual Quanah Parker Medicine Mounds Gathering, a music and culture festival scheduled for June 17-20 in Quanah and at the Medicine Mounds near there. Tickets in the 716-seat high school auditorium range from $40-$75, with a separate meet-and-greet ticket available for $50. For tickets and a full schedule, see: quanahparkermedicinemounds.com.
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National Days
May 13:
Apple Pie Day
May 14:
Dance Like A Chicken Day
May 15:
Armed Forces Day
May 16:
Barbecue Day
May 17:
Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18:
Visit Your Relatives Day
May 19:
Devil's Food Cake Day
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All 154 kindergarten students and all 169 first grade students in the four independent school districts in Parmer County received a book during thel ast week of April. For years, Parmer County Retired Teachers and School Personnel (PCRT & SP) has given a book to these students, so each will own a book of his or her own.
The Book Lady for PCRT&SP, Amelia Wright read a book to Rachel Aragon's kindergarten class in Friona and to Terri Stratton's first grade class in Bovina. She read to Kristin Kasel's kindergarten class and to Sherri Kerr's first grade class in Lazbuddie. Also, Amelia read to the three combined kindergarten classes of Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Lunsford, and Mrs. Potts in Farwell
Bovina: Terri Stratton, first grade
Farwell: Combined kindergarten classes of Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Lunsford, & Mrs. Potts
Friona: Rachel Aragon kindergarten
Lazbuddie: Kristin Kasel's Kindergarten & Sherri Kerr's first grade