CRAWFISH
AVAILABLE AFTER PM 4HUR s &RI s 3AT
115 South Madison St. 0O UIF TRVBSF t .BEJTPOWJMMF
936-348-3927
VOLUME 123 • NO. 9
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
Your Hometown Newspaper Since 1894
NETTLES,
Thank a Veteran and a Serviceman Every Day
By Allison Basinger editor@madisonvillemeteor.com
Sometimes when it rains it pours doesn’t it? I think the Boyett family needs a break! Besides Johnny Boyett’s bout with cancer, their son’s home Gala Nettles, Columnist burning gala@ to the nettlescountry.com ground and Virginia Boyett’s battle with a severe infection last that landed her in the hospital Nov., last week was another week of endurance. First, although Virginia got her flu shot, she still tested positive for the flu last week and has had a tough week. At the same time Johnny had several spots come up on his head. Since Virginia was sick and everyone else needed to be at their jobs, another family member, Jan Blakley carried him to The Woodlands Tues. to see the oncologist. Caring people, whether family or friends, do make a difference. Send your encouragement to them at P.O. Box 76, Madisonville TX. 77864. Do you remember Gypsy and Tim O’Neal, who lived in Madisonville Farms quite a few years ago? If you know Lara and Marcus O’Neal of North Zulch, Gypsy and Tim are Marcus’s parents. Tim has pastored a church in Fort Scott, KS for the past 18 years. Last year though, Gypsy’s asthma worsened and doctors told her she needed to move to a drier climate. Their youngest son Tyler lived in Utah, so Tim resigned from his church and moved to Gypsy to Utah. While the climate helped, in early February, only weeks after the move Gypsy was diagnosed with Small Cell Carcinoma. The cancer is in her colon, lungs and a small tumor behind her heart. She began chemo treatments SEE
Home of Carolina Villasana
Celebrating freedom, diversity
’ROUND TOWN
■
2 SECTION • 24 PAGES • $1
PAGE
#
The RF Riders of Midway and the NAACP, Madisonville chapter, co-hosted an exciting event last weekend at the Kimbro Center honoring educators of the past and present. The event showcased educational history awareness and highlighted the gift of education that local teachers give students. The social hour provided an opportunity to visit the informational booths that were set ■
SEE
CELEBRATING,
PAGE
2
COURTESY
PHOTO
First time tandem jumpers will jump from 18,000 feet for a two-minute free fall for the ultimate flying experience.
COURTESY
PHOTO
First time tandem jumpers will jump from 18,000 feet for a two-minute free fall for the ultimate flying experience.
Skydiving comes to Madisonville By Allison Basinger editor@madisonvillemeteor.com
COURTESY
If you’ve ever wanted to feel free as a bird, see yourself as an adrenaline junkie, or just need a push out of your comfort zone, now there is something just for you. Texas Skydiving Company, the Lone Star State’s newest skydiving center, has landed here in Madisonville. This family owned and operated business has been skydiving since 1960. The family patriarch, Vin Silvia, began the family’s journey with the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers during WWII over 50 years ago. Since then, the Silvia family has been active in the industry as operators and professional skydivers, even participating in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, where they helped create the Olympic rings from the air. The goal of their company is to provide customers with a safe, world-class skydiving ex-
PHOTO
Tra’dayja Smith hits a floater in the lane during the regional championship game Saturday at Sam Houston State University
Lady Mustangs’ run ends with regional title game By Megan Huston sports@madisonvillemeteor.com
From opening tip it was obvious Saturday afternoon at Sam Houston State University that the Lady Mustangs came with a game plan and executed it to perfection for three quarters. Madisonville shut down Liberty Hill’s perimeter game with solid defense, dominated the backboards and controlled the pace of the game until midway through the fourth quarter, falling to the Panthers, 5344, in the 4A Regional championship game. Madisonville controlled the
opening period with a 15-9 lead, and didn’t relinquish the lead until 5:38 left in the fourth quarter as Liberty Hill took the lead 39-38 on a two-pointer by Sedona Prince. Liberty Hill never looked back outscoring Madisonville 15-6 in the final four minutes of regulation, ending the Lady Mustangs’ playoff run and season. Senior Tra’dayja Smith led the Mustangs in scoring with 14 points, followed by Lexi Leveston with 13 points and seven rebounds. Junior Tylesia Roundtree had eight points and six rebounds. The Lady Mustangs end their season with a 29-4 record.
perience. Whether you’re a first-timer, student, or a seasoned jumper, they aim to exceed your expectations. The company has made Madisonville Municipal Airport because of its central location and convenience to many of the major cities and metro areas in the heart of Texas. Their existence will bring welcome benefits to the city, inviting tourism and providing jobs. Vice President, Frank Silvia, says “We’re so pleased by the warm welcome we’ve received by everyone in Madisonville and are very excited to bring Skydiving to the area. The Sylvia family looks forward to a long and enjoyable relationship with this community. We invite everyone to come visit us at the ‘Drop Zone’ and make a skydive!” For more information and to schedule book your skydiving experience visit www.texassk yd iv i ngc ompa ny.c om or call 844-skydive (7593483).
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. — 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Mustangs end hoops with loss to La Vega
INSIDE THE METEOR Business . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Churches . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Classifieds. . . . . . . 11-12 Community . . . . . . . . . .3 Correspondents . . . . . .3
Page 15
Normangee Tractor
G GROOMIN S D E E ALL BR 20+ years ce experien
(936)396-3101
NormangeeTractor.com
Hugs FREE Walks FREE Meds given FREE 6499 Halliday Lane Madisonville located just off I-45 N
“Nobody Beats Normangee Tractor” www.madisonvillemeteor.com
Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . .3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Records . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .15