Passing of the gavel — Incoming Friona FFA Chapter President Emma Schueler congratulates outgoing president, Tim Ally, on a highly successful tenure in office. See awards on pages 8-9 of the Friona Star.
Friona FFA members Emma Schueler, Tim Ally, Gabriel Abarca, Caden Bunker, and Stef Ally have qualified to receive prestigious State Lone Star Degrees at the convention in July. This prestigious degree is awarded to FFA members in the state who have been in FFA at least 3 years and have earned their Greenhand and Chapter degrees. They must also have SAE project (supervised agricultural experience), community service hours, several FFA activities above the chapter level, and have held a chapter office. These five are setting the standard for the Friona FFA program for years to come!
The Friona FFA Chapter had a highly successful year. Multiple teams and individuals advanced to area and state competitions. The Dairy Judging Team topped the list with a 6th Place finish in the State Competition. Note: FFA competition includes every school in the state. There are no large school/small school divisions in FFA. Please see pages 8-9 of the Friona Star for a listing of events and results.
Rock and take roll — These six Friona ISD employees officially retired this year and were recognized at the annual awards dinner for their years of service with the district. The group also received a rocking chair each and rode in their own farewell parade. The FISD Retiree Class of 2022 is (l-r) Susan Harkey, 5 years; Martha Rodriquez, 23 years; Kelley Jones, 23 years; Ann Kelley, 20 years; Kathy Jack, 30 years; and seated, Mercedes Williams, 30 years. See more awards on page 10 of the Friona Star.
Parmer County Retired Teachers and School Personnel will host an ice cream social to welcome new retirees at the Legacy Pointe community room at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28. All Parmer County school retirees are welcome. Thanks to Friona ISD for paying first year dues for Friona retirees. Anyone can join TRTA and PCRTSP. For more information, contact Kim Smiley, Connie Slagle, or Sue Wells.
PCRTSP's last meeting of the 2021-2022 school year occurred on March 8th with Connie Slagle presenting a program about her vintage autograph quilt research and Annette Frye sharing information about health related products. Amelia Wright installed the new officers: President Tina Sides, 1st Vice President Kim Smiley, 2nd Vice President Amelia Wright, Secretary Leslie Wright, and Treasurer Sue Wells.
Congratulations — Bluebonnet Home Health & Hospice was named a National Best Practice Agency for 2021. The recognition was announced by Fazzi Associates and was based on survey results from 2020. Purchased in 2005 from Parmer County Community Hospital, Bluebonnet has continued PMC's vision of providing home health services to Parmer County and the surrounding area that was implemented in 1993. Bluebonnet Home Health & Hospice has been licensed to provide hospice services since 2007.
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If you build it — The 6th Annual Kidz Building Camp is July 18-22 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. each night. Family night is scheduled for Friday. There will be a swim party on Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the city pool. The camp is free and open to ages 5-12 years old. Tools & materials will be provided to all participants. Volunteers are needed! Call 806-250-3491 for information.
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The gift of life — The Friona Noon Lions sponsored a Half-Day Blood Drive last Thursday. Twenty-four individuals donated which included six on the "doubles" machine for a total of 30 units of blood. Each unit saves three lives. Next blood drive will be in August.
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Snack Pak and you — The 2022 Feed the Future Snack Pak 4 Kids Auction Fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, July 30th. There are 3 ways you can help: (1) Make a monetary donation directly to Snack Pak 4 Kids, (2) Donate item(s) for the silent and/or live auctions. Your name will be listed on each item. (3) Make a monetary donation to Hi-Pro and they will purchase item(s) for the silent and/or live auctions. Your name will be listed on each item. NOTE: 100% of monetary donations and auction proceeds will benefit the local Snack Pak 4 Kids programs in Friona, Muleshoe, Farwell, Bovina, Lazbuddie, and Texico. Hi-Pro employees will start asking for auction items or donations in the next couple of weeks.
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Fiber is here — Amy Linzey, CEO of WTRT/WT Services, announced at a meeting of civc leaders last Wednesday that fiber-to-the-premise in Friona will begin in the next couple of weeks. The Friona office will begin calling Business and Residential customers to explain the benefits and pricing for the upgrade. Friona will be one of the few small towns in the state to have the new technology.
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Coming soon — the 16th Annual Cheeseburger Festival is just around the corner. You still have time to sign up a cooking team for a chance to win up to $1000. Also, there is still room for vendors. Call the Chamber at 806-250-3491 for more information. The Cheeseburger Festival is Saturday, July 16th but there are activities scheduled for the entire week. More details next week.
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On deck — next week's Star will feature the 1st Annual Responder Training Event.
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National Days
June 23: Pink Day
June 24: Take Your Dog to Work Day
June 25: Hydration Day
June 26: Barcode Day
June 27: Sunglasses Day
June 28: Logistics Day
June 29: Camera Day
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Class of 1960 — (seated, l-r) Judy Smith Ponthieu, Monty Baker Allen, Janet Snead Payne, Phyllis Bainum Brooks, Levada Hand Bush, Jolynda Stokes Horton, Gwen Green Dunnam; (standing, l-r) Gerald Daniel, Mike Ellis, Fred Jackson, Lawanna Houlette Moore, Charlotte Bock Ratcliff, Jacquelyn Magness Franklin, Linda O’Brian Cheser, Ronnie Wood, Geneva Floyd Osborn, Larry Crow, Owen Drake, JB Douglass.
The Friona High School Class of 1960 held its 62-year class reunion on Saturday, June 18th at the Amarillo Stabridge Suites in Amarillo, Texas. The Class of ’60 was comprised of 60 students and the reunion doubled as an 80th birthday party for many of the attendees. Go Big Red!