The Hometown Press 01-26-2022 by The Hometown Press

409-296-BANK

Volume 33, Issue 4

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Tr i n i t y B a y H o l d s Short Meeting

Cooper McKay Signs to Play College Baseball

50 cents

By Wade Thibodeaux The Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors met in regular session on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 for a short one hour and seven minute meeting. Two of the five directors(Mitchell and Hankamer) were absent and many items on the agenda were either tabled or no action was taken in hopes of having a full board at the next regular meeting in order to achieve a consensus. The board did approve the payment of bills and the financial report that showed $6,546,887.48 in total cash balances. There were no public comments and items dealing with a contract for Blakeman and Associates, purchasing of new vehicles, the Winnie Ditch Project, and the Spindletop Farm Reservoir were tabled. The board did approve declaring the old dragline that was deemed not worth the cost of repair

as surplus and instructed the staff to take the immovable machine to Horn Auction. The board was advised by the staff that one application for the open General Managers position had been received and the application period would be held open until January 31, 2022. All other staff reports showed operations moving smoothly with a report of insurance money received for the damage caused by the Winter storm in February of 2021 and an update on the Hankamer Waste Water Plant showed that construction Cooper McKay poses with his Grandparents during his signing ceremony last Friday. documents had been signed and the project was moving forward. The next regular meeting of the Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors will be Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 9:00 am in their office located at 2500 State Highway 124 in Stowell, Texas.

By Wade Thibodeaux The Chambers County Emergency Services District No1 Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Firestation located at 825 State Highway 124 in Winnie, Texas. The short meeting began at 6:00 pm and was concluded by 6:29 pm. The main item of business was to engage an auditor for the annual report and the group once again selected J.R. Edwards to perform the 20202021 audit. A not to exceed price for the audit of $7,500.00 was also approved. The remainder of the meeting was mostly reports with the financial report showing a cash balance of $1,149,952.69 and the

Administrator's report showing operations running smoothly. The incident report showed 56 calls for assistance during the month of December 2021 and the yearly total for 2021 being 534 calls. The only other action items were to reimburse a volunteer for successfully passing the National Registry exam for an EMR(Emergency Medical Responder) class and to discuss pay raises for staff and legal fees. Both agenda items were approved. The next regular meeting of the Chambers County Emergency Services District No1 Board of Commissioners will be Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 6:00 pm at the Firestation located at 825 State Highway 124 in Winnie, Texas.

Chambers County Emergency Services District No1 Engages Auditor

Cooper McKay poses with his parents during his signing ceremony last week.

Cooper McKay surrounded by EC Coaches during his signing ceremony last week.

By Wade Thibodeaux The East Chambers Athletic Department held a signing ceremony

for Cooper McKay last Friday, January 21, 2022 at the High School Gym. Cooper was signing to

play baseball for Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Cooper was surrounded

by coaches, family and friends as he signed the paperwork to commit to the University.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Disclaimer: This column is the opinion of Publisher Wade A. Thibodeaux and may contain subject matter on a variety of topics, but usually contains humor of some description. An occasional serious thought may be thrown in to entice the reader to think.

Wade In the Shade by Wade Thibodeaux I should know better, I should know better, but evidently I don’t. Last week I was lamenting the fact that things were pretty slow in the news portion of the newspaper business and just like that, wham, I’m slammed to the point of not knowing which direction to turn. I use different colors for events for different newspapers on my calendar and this week looks like a kindergartner used every color in the new 64 color crayon box to fill in my appointments. With the Spring Primary voting day just a little over a month away and early voting starting in about two weeks, political season jumped into high gear this week with a couple of forums scheduled in a couple of different towns. In addition to that, it seems like every political subdivision of the State of Texas(Cities, Counties, Water Districts, Hospital Districts, School Boards, etc.) have decided that they all need special called meetings to discuss something that just absolutely can’t wait until their next regular meeting.

That in itself fills up a calendar pretty quickly, but when you add all of the extra stuff on top of the meetings, it gets crazy really quick. In addition to all of that it’s stock show season and I would like to sneak away to take in a few livestock shows, but that’s looking less and less like a possibility. I also had scheduled a trade show in Ft Worth for some of the promotional products that we sell, but that looks like it’s going to go the way of the livestock shows and not going to happen. However, all of that aside, I learned something this week. Well, I should say that something that I knew was brought back to the forefront of my thought processes. Hang in with me here as I get through this explanation. With all of this business on the horizon and the recent cold weather, I decided to take Sunday afternoon and drive up and check on my cows. I took my time and leisurely drove up to Elkhart, listening to the football game on the radio and thinking about my life in general. I arrived at the pas-

Opinion & Entertainment ture and immediately went to check on the water pipes to make sure that water wasn’t gushing everywhere and thankfully everything was just fine in the water pipe department after all of the cold weather. I also decided that while I was there, I would go ahead and put out a few more bales of hay for the bovines. They still had plenty of hay, but once again with my upcoming schedule.....I wanted to make sure they had plenty to eat. That allowed me to have a little tractor time and that’s usually a good thing for me. I put out three rolls of hay and then returned the tractor to the barn. I went over to the rolls and began cutting the string off of the bales. For those who don’t know, when we bale the hay, we wrap the hay with a nylon type string to keep the bales together and we use nylon type string so that it doesn’t rot over the winter when it’s exposed to the weather and the ground on the bottom of the bale. That’s great for keeping the hay together, but that string has to be cut and pulled from the bales because if you don’t remove the string, you will be cussing the next Summer when it’s all wrapped up around the blades of your bush hog when you shred pasture. And, we don’t even want to get into the discussion about having to cut it out of a cow’s leg when it gets wrapped around their legs as they move about the

haystack. Anyway, as I was cutting and pulling string, a few of the cows came up to the haystack and I was able to visit with the cows for just a little bit. I love visiting with the cows because you can tell them anything and they don’t judge you and very seldon do they even respond to your comments. Even when they do respond, it’s just a Moooooooo and I take that as a sign of agreement. I finished pulling

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the string and called the girls down to the pens where I had a bag of treats(cattle cubes) for them and after I had fed them and visited with them a little more, I headed back to Huntsville where I knew that I had plenty of work to do in preparation of this week’s papers. As I was driving back to Huntsville, the thought occurred to me that it really was my happy place when I was taking care of these creatures and I really should have more

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of these types of meetings and less of the ones inside a building. I also know that the cows don’t pay the bills and that I have to work to make the wheels go around, but I also know that I need those cows to keep some sense of balance in my life. Here’s hoping that you find your set of cows or whatever takes you to your happy place and everything stays in balance for you. Till next time, I’m........Wade in the Shade.

Tumbleweeds

THE GIRL LOVES WRITING By Tumbleweed Smith

I had the genuine pleasure to meet Tamra McAnally Bolton, a gifted and respected writer who lives near Jacksonville. I have 3 of her books now and each one shows her amazing talent. When I interviewed her I asked her to read from her book WHEN I WAS SMALL, a book for children. She read these words: “When I was a girl, a long time ago, the places I’d roam, I loved them so. The dusty old barn with its stacks of hay, the wideopen meadows where the butterflies play, the clamor and cluck of the chickens at feeding time and the pop and snap of fresh clothes on the line.” It’s a short book that she and her husband illustrated. Her latest book is THE ART OF STORY KEEPING that gives hints about saving family memories. “If you don’t get those stories down they’re going to be gone, lost forever.” The book that took her 20 years to write is titled A BLESSED LIFE: THE WORLD WAR TWO SEABEE’S STORY. It’s about her father’s experiences on Iwo Jima. The book details the many visits with her dad, taking notes and making recordings and attending

reunions of his fellow Seabees. where she talked with other veterans of Iwo Jima. That book won awards from the Military Writers Society, the Chanticleer International Book Awards and the Pulpwood Queens Book Club. Her writing career has taken her from the California desert to the snowy mountains of Wyoming. Her articles and photographs have been published in several magazines including Parade. Some of her photos have graced the covers of regional and national publications. “You’re never too old to be a kid,” she says. One thing she wrote about brought back some almost forgotten memories for me. In her book WHEN I WAS SMALL she talks about wriggling her toes and making frog houses in the freshly plowed dirt in springtime. I hadn’t thought about frog houses in decades. I found out that not everybody in Texas knows what they are. I used to make them while growing up in Waco and visiting my aunts and uncles around Canton. I told Tamra I hadn’t made a frog house in a long time. “That’s so much fun,” she replied. “I cannot pass a

freshly plowed piece of ground and not make a frog house. People have forgotten how much fun it is to be a kid. It’s easy to make a frog house. Just get your bare foot and wriggle it in the dirt as deep and as far as you can, then pat the dirt all over the top of your foot. You have to be careful pulling out your foot because you don’t want it to cave in.” We both had a good laugh talking about frog houses. Her stories cover everything from riding in a Baja Buggy to dogsledding and reporting on upscale resorts. “I’ve had all kinds of adventures and done things I never dreamed I would get to do. I’ve done just about everything on my ‘do before I die’ list that I started when I was about 12.” She has been writing since she was 5. “I’d write little poems and stories and wouldn’t show them to anybody because I was afraid they’d laugh at me. By the time I was 40 that changed.” www.tumbleweesmith.com

Tumbleweed Smith’s column in the Hometown Press is presented by

MARKET BASKET

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ East Chambers regular school board meetings are held on the second Monday beginning at 6pm in the 216 Champions Loop Winnie, TX 77665

THEME: SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. Shout from a ship? 5. Shout from the bleachers 8. ____ and don’ts 11. Infamous Henry’s number 12. One with COVID, e.g. 13. Fighter jet button 15. Resting stops 16. Not guilty, e.g. 17. One of Singapore’s official languages 18. *Home of last year’s Super Bowl winners 20. Armor chest plate 21. *Given name of 2011 Super Bowl MVP 22. African grazer 23. Greek woodland deities 26. Ramones’ hit “I Wanna Be ____” 30. Big fuss 31. Like certain Chili Peppers (2 words) 34. Cattle call goal 35. Scatterbrained 37. Bonehead 38. In a different direction 39. JetÈ in ballet 40. More so than eggy 42. Conducted 43. Christmas firewood (2 words)

45. Annotator and commentator 47. Soda-pop container 48. Unpleasant and offensive 50. SWAT attack, e.g. 52. *Super Bowl I and II winning coach 55. Pertaining to a pope 56. Cain’s unfortunate brother 57. Gives a hand 59. Anoint 60. BÈbÈ’s mother 61. Season to be jolly 62. *Most Super Bowl wins by one team 63. Snoop 64. Carhop’s load DOWN 1. *Roman number of this year’s Super Bowl 2. “___ Misbehavin’” 3. Santa Maria’s traveling partner 4. Despair in the face of obstacles 5. “The Hobbit” hobbit 6. “Caribbean Queen” singer 7. Colloquial approval 8. Cold cuts counter 9. South American tubers 10. Pig’s digs 12. Not dense 13. Make corrections

Solution on page 3

14. *Florida team with no Super Bowl appearances 19. Return punch 22. Come and ____ it 23. Lamentably 24. Bye, to Edith Piaf 25. Bottom line 26. *2022 Super Bowl stadium 27. Upholstery choice 28. *Archie to Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli 29. Exploits 32. *Super Bowl Halftime show Snoops’s “last name” 33. Hardly a beauty 36. *Like some teams 38. Oenophile’s concern 40. Many, many moons 41. Empower 44. Big Dipper’s visible shape 46. Oppressive ruler 48. On the wagon 49. Nail salon board 50. Feminine of raja 51. Mt. Everest to Earth 52. Aladdin’s light 53. Christian of fashion 54. Result of a brainstorm 55. Rudolf Nureyev’s step 58. Stallone’s nickname

or any members, to join them for Chicken Foot on Thursdays at noon, and Bingo on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. For more information, please call 267-3700.

■ The Wellness Center at ■ The Lily Bayside invites seniors, Valley Food

located at 1222 N. Main St. in Anahuac, distributes food to those in need on the fourth Saturday of each month. Anyone wishing to donate canned goods, money or volunteer is of the encouraged to do so. Pantry,

The Hometown Press The Hometown Press, ID#006414 is published weekly on Wednesday, except for the Wednesday immediately following Christmas, by Hometown Press, Inc., 2028 State Hwy 124 or P.O. Box 801, Winnie, TX 77665. Annual instate subscription rate is $25.00 and out-of-state is $25.00. Second Class postage is paid at Winnie, TX Postmaster. Change of address may be sent to Hometown Press, P.O. Box 801, Winnie, TX. 77665. Phone: 409296-9988, Fax: 409-296-9987, email: htpress99@gmail.com Periodical Class Permit #006414 Winnie, TX 77665 STAFF BOX Publisher: Wade Thibodeaux Advertising Deadline is noon Monday for Wednesday paper.

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THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Local News

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 PUNISHMENT RANGE

Thirty-Five individuals were arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail between Sunday, January 16 and Saturday, January 22. Warrants from last week are also as followed. The individuals have been

magistrated and formally informed of the charges against them. However, just because these individuals were arrested and magistrated does not mean they are guilty of the crimes they are charged with committing. Also, not

everyone charged with a crime is alleged to have committed the crime in Chambers County, but perhaps was simply arrested in Chambers County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Chambers County. Instances in which individuals

were arrested on outstanding warrants, their original conviction and the reason they are on probation or parole, if available, is included in parenthesis set.

• First degree felony: punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison and a $10,000 fine. • Second degree felony: punishable by up to 20 years and a $10,000 fine. • Third degree felony: punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. • State jail felony: punishable by up to two years in prison. • Deferred adjudication probation: typically offered to the first time offenders. Defendants’ judgement is deferred until later, if ever. If they successfully complete the terms of their probation, they are not judge and thus have no criminal conviction in connection to the offense. However, if they accept deferred adjudication probation but fail to abide by the terms of their probation, they could be sentenced to the maximum time in prison allowable under the law without the benefit of a trail by jury. • Class A misdemeanor: punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. • Class B misdemeanor: punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Judge Celia Devillier

Patti Henry

J.P. Pct 1 Winnie

M-F 8 am-11 am & 1pm-4pm

Jimmy Gore

District Clerk Passports

409-267-2432

409-296-8250

Commissioner Pct 1

409-296-8250

Jimmy Sylvia County Judge

409-267-2440

Total Main Jail:

DPS Needs Help in Locating Unknown Driver in Fatal Crash

The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the publics help in locating a driver and a vehicle that were involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Interstate 10 near Hankamer, Texas. The initial investigation suggests that a

2012 Chevrolet SUV was parked on the outside of the eastbound lanes and while stopped, the SUV was struck by a 2017 Kenworth tractor trailer truck. The driver of the Kenworth was not injured. Investigators believe the driver of the SUV was outside of the vehicle follow-

ing the initial crash when they were struck by an unidentified vehicle and that vehicle did not stop at the scene. The driver of the SUV, Georgiana Thomas, 50, of Port Arthur, was pronounced dead at the scene by Chambers County Justice of the Peace David Hatfield. The three

passengers of the SUV, all minors(age 8, 7, and 4) were taken to Hermann Memorial Hospital for treatment. Anyone who has information that could help locate the unknown driver and vehicle is asked to call Lufkin DPS communications at 936-6344623.

Since 2019, there's very little rodeo superstar Stetson Wright hasn't accomplished. The Milford, Utah, cowboy has five PRCA world championships by his name – three all-around, 2019-21; bull riding in

2020 and saddle bronc riding in 2021. Now, he's a winner of a PRCA Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event. Wright accomplished that career first with 178.5 points on two head at the SWELS – Division 1

Xtreme Bulls event Jan. 18 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. "I had never won a Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event before and honestly it was making me really mad," said Wright, 22. "It feels really good to check this

off my list because they had some really hard bulls to ride in the short round. My first bull also was hard to ride so to get by both was pretty fun." Wright earned $19,654 for his 16 seconds of work. (contd on page 7)

Stetson Wright Claims First Career PRCA Division 1 Xtreme Bulls Title in Fort Worth

Religion & Lifestyle

Wednesday,January 26, 2022

Sunday Observations from Christy

My mother told me about a man in her church who often says “Amen” during the sermon. “…and that just really blesses me!” she said. With a grin I asked, “Mother, are you letting someone else say your ‘Amens’ for you?” Psalm 107:2 says, “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!” Do not leave your shouting to someone else. “Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and amen!” (Psalm 89:52) Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain: Chambers County Sheriff ’s Office & Fellowship of Christian Cowboys OBITUARIES

Assemblies of God

Cornerstone Church 3810 Hwy. 124 • Stowell 409-296-2481 Sunday Worship Service.........10:00 am Wednesday Family Night......6:30 pm Cornerstone Church 1100 Oak Street • Anahuac 409-296-2481 Sunday Worship Service.....10:30 am

Baptist

First Baptist Church of Anahuac 405 South Magnolia • Anahuac 409-267-3262 Sunday School..............9:00 am SundayMorningWorship.....11:00 am Evening Worship..........6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting.....6:30 pm First Baptist of Fannett Highway 124 • Fannett Sunday School.................9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship...10:45 am Sunday Discipleship Training.......5:00 pm Sunday Evening Worship.............6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting......7:00 pm First Baptist Church of Hamshire Highway 124 • Hamshire 409-243-2163 Sunday School.................9:15 am Morning Worship.........10:30 am Evening Worship............6:00 pm Wednesday Discipleship....6:15 pm First Baptist Church of Stowell W. Main &VanOstrand • Stowell 409-296-4510 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship........6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study............7:00 pm OutdoorsMen Church of Winnie Hwy 124 in Winnie Saturday.......6:00pm (covered dish meal at service)

in her home of 54 years in Vidor, Texas. She was born February 4th, 1932 to Abel and Bertha Gaudet. She graduated from St. Anthony's in 1951. She met and married her life-long love Ben Wallace Jr. in September of 1952, who preceded her in death in December of 2013. Betty was a lady first and foremost, with a wonderful sense of humor. She was a successful business owner of "Ben's Alternator First Baptist Church of Winnie Winnie 409-296-4072 Brian Johnson, Pastor Sunday School.................9:15 am Sunday Morning Worship..10:30 am SundayEvening Worship...........6:00 pm Wednesday: Kids for Christ.................4:00 pm Youth (Grades 7-12)........4:00 pm Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting.6:00 pm Sweet Home Baptist Church Hankamer 409-374-2208 Pastor: Ronald Smith Sunday School.................9:30 am SundayMorningWorship.........10:30am Wednesday Dinner......................6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study Adult, Youth and Children’s.....6:30 pm Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Campbell Rd &Ave G • Stowell 409-296-2938 Sunday School.........................8:00 am Sunday Morning Worship.........9:00 am Monday Mission & Teachers.......6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting & Choir St. Paul Baptist Church First Street • Stowell 409-296-2750 Sunday School.........................9:45 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am Monday Brotherhood............7:00 pm Tuesday Mission.....................6:30 pm WednesdayPrayerMeeting...........7:00pm

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WAY before I state this, I want to say, I believe every American citizen should be allowed the choice to vaccinate or not. Yes, I personally am fully vaccinated, but I respect the individual’s choice to vaccinate....or not. That being said. This week I have watched, read, and done some online digging into the Carhart vaccine requirements. Long story short, Carhart upheld their company policy to require vaccines, even after the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s attempt to force vaccines on companies with more than 100 employees. I agree with the Supreme Court. As a country, more and more, I hear about our “freedom of choice and speech”. Maybe the small businesses I worked for are still in my mind. I don’t know. But what about an employer’s freedoms? Their right to set policies? Their right to protect themselves

from loss? Their ability to keep the doors open, in an ever challenging time for small and large businesses? They pay to keep the building safe, to maintain your benefits if you have any, they pay to keep the doors open, merchandise displayed, inventory maintained, and they pay for things like workers comp, a lawyer for the frivolous lawsuits, people to empty your trash can, clean the office, and more. The key to 99.999% of a businesses success........ is their employees. Without employees, doing any of the above is mute. So the argument can be, they should let their employees do as they choose, to keep them happy. But folks, that is not how businesses work. Bottom line is about production, sales, and profit. The statistics say 63% of the country has now had a vaccine. I am not here to debate numbers I find online, just trying to state, I did look it up. But we are about to go into year 3 of this. THREE years. It has affected every avenue of everything we are doing. We have supply chain issues, staffing issues, and the list goes on. You take a mom and pop operation, or better yet the staff of 4000 at Carhart, and pull a chunk of folks out due to illness, you suddenly are faced with low productivity if any, the risk of transmission to other employees, and even at the current 5 day minimum

required out of work, it’s a LOT of time. And that can cost a business a lot of money. Or bankrupt them. Right now our country is running 20-25% of the population currently having Covid. So, 1 out of every 4 or 5 folks you know. In the case of Carhart, let’s take 1000 employees out. How does that affect the business plan? Aside from illness and possible death or long term complications for employees….that’s a whole other column. Is there a way to alleviate some of the problems? Any way you look at this the business owner is strapped with issues. Right or wrong, a business owner is faced with tough choices today. Do they risk closing due to the loss of profits due to illness and absence and thereby putting 4000 out of work? Or do they risk losing 100 that don’t choose to vaccinate? So this brings about my question. If the American worker wants their freedoms...….why does the American business owner have to sacrifice theirs? This isn’t just about Covid vaccines. Actually, it’s more about choices and freedom, than a vaccine at all. I feel the same about a bakery being forced to make a cake for a same sex wedding. We can not force private businesses to do things, be it vaccinate or bake a cake, then turn around and say we are doing it for freedom. That business owner

has freedom as well. But they also have the freedom to set their policies. I get it. You have your retirement there. But this is all your choice. Same as it is theirs. I am not going to boycott any company for expressing the rights that I as a citizen want. If I don’t agree with someone’s policies I will shop elsewhere. I don’t care what you do, it’s your choice. It’s my choice. If we don’t find some respect for the American business owner, and their freedoms, we will soon find ourselves without American business owners. Happy Sunday peeps. I hope I didn’t make you mad, but I do hope I made you think. That freedom’s just another word for nothing else to lose. That each and every one of us have freedoms and choices, including business owners. When I reached a point that I knew my past occupation was in a direction that no longer fit my personal goals...…I changed jobs. Simple as that. My choice. Freedom is funny that way. Rights belong to all of us. Not saying I think they are right or wrong...….I am saying they have the freedom to make these decisions based on their thoughts and policies. You have a choice to change jobs. It’s a respectful thing if you look at it that way. Choices, and the freedom of, are not strictly the choices we agree with. Moreover, they are the ones we don’t agree with, but respect the individual’s rights to make them.

and Starter Service Inc." in Beaumont, Texas. Betty felt that her greatest achievement in life was raising eight beautiful children with morals and values and knowing God. She taught her children to be loving and understanding while also standing their ground if needed. She was loving to a fault. She wouldn't let anyone leave her house hungry or thirsty. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and shopping for others. She loved her whole family with all her heart. She enjoyed flowers and vegetable gardening on her land. She loved fish-

ing, camping, and crabbing, anytime with whomever. She loved creatures of all kinds and had plenty. She never met a stranger and enjoyed giving loving advice if asked. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Betty is survived by her daughter Valerie Williams of Vidor, Texas, her son Gary Wallace and wife Lupe of Woodville, Texas, her son Malcolm Wallace and wife Abbey of Vidor, Texas, her daughter Charlotte Williams and husband Sidney of Vidor, Texas, her daughter Theresa Jenkins and husband Dud-

ley of Kountze, Texas, her daughter Mary Tigert and husband Jimmy of Vidor, Texas and son Bruce Wallace of Vidor, Texas, plus 39 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, and her many nephews and nieces. All of these she loved and touched deeply. She was preceded in death by her brothers Johnny Gaudet, Harold Gaudet, and Shirley Gaudet. Her sisters Alice Burns, Alma Burns, and Mary Heufelder, her son Carroll Wallace, grandson Allen Sherman and great grand-daughter Tristan Dil-

ley. Arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. Please join us in Celebrating her life Saturday morning February 5th, 2022. Service to begin at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 1600 North Main, Vidor, Texas. In lieu of flowers please make donations to your local "No Kill animal Shelter". Immediately following mass lunch will be served in the parish hall along with a slide-show of her life. This will give anyone who wishes, the opportunity to share memories or stories with us.

Methodist

Nondenominational

Amen and Amen!

Betty Ann Gaudet Wallace, age 89 passed away peacefully January 13th, 2022

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Church Services

St. Mary Baptist Church Hwy 61 &Albritton •Hankamer 409-374-2182 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Morning Worship..................11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study.........7:00 pm SunlightMissionaryBaptistChurch Spikes Rd • Hankamer Sunday School.........................9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Wednesday Evening..................7:00 pm LaBelle Baptist Church 9400 Hwy 365 • LaBelle 409-796-1240 Sunday School.......................10:00 am Sunday Adult Worship............11:00 am Sunday Children’s Church......11:00 am Sunday Evening......................6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study.............7:00 pm First Baptist Church High Island Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship....................10:30 am Sunday Evening Worship..........6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible......7:00 pm

Catholic St. Louis Catholic Church 315 W Buccaneer Dr • Winnie 409-296-4200 Tuesday: 8:30 am English Wednesday: 8:30 am Spanish with music Friday: 8:30am Bilingual 1st Friday Devotion - Eucharistic Adoration following mass until 10:00am Saturday 4:00 pm Sunday 10:30 am, noon Spanish Reconciliation Saturday 3:00-3:45 Our Lady of Light Catholic Church S. Main St • Anahuac 409-267-3158 Thursday: 6:00 pm Spanish Saturday: 6:00 pm Spanish Sunday: 8:30 am English Reconciliation Thursday 5:00-5:45

St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hwy. 365 & IH-10 • Fannett 794-2548 Saturday Mass.........................5:00 pm Sunday Mass............7:00 & 11:00 am St. Martin DePorres Mission Boyt & Kidd • Cheek 409-794-2548 Sunday Mass............................9:00 am

Church of Christ Winnie Church of Christ 2559 Hwy 124 • Stowell 409-899-1737 • 409-363-9898 Sunday Bible Class.................9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship.......10:45 am Sunday Evening Worship......5:00 pm Wednesday Service................7:00 pm Church of Christ Oak Street • Anahuac 267-6445 Sunday Bible Class.................9:30 am SundayWorship Service......10:30 am SundayEvening Worship.......6:00 pm Wednesday Service................6:00 pm

Episcopal Trinity Episcopal Church Washington & Light St • Anahuac 409-267-6582 Sunday Holy Communion..10:00 am

Latter Day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints Menely Road • Winnie Sunday Morning.....................9:00 am Wednesday Youth Activities.....7:00 pm

Lutheran

Hope Lutheran Church 9th & LeBlanc - Winnie 409-296-2377 Sunday Worship............9:30 am Sunday School............10:45 am

First United Methodist 204 Trinity St • Anahuac 409-267-3242 Sunday School.......................10:45 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am St. James Methodist Ed Hopkins @ Texas St • Anahuac Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship 1st & 4th Sunday.....................................11:00 am Wednesday Bible Studies......6:00 pm Faith United Methodist Highway 365 • Fannett 409-794-1121 Sunday School......................10:00 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am UMYF 2nd and 4th Sunday.....5:00 pm Middleton Memorial Methodist Wallisville Rd • Wallisville 409-389-2218 Sunday Worship......................9:00 am St.PaulUnitedMethodistDoubleBayou www.stpauldoublebayou.com Sunday School........................10:45am Sunday Worship .................... 9:00 am Wednesday Bible Studies.........6:30 pm St. Mathew’s United Methodist 1312 Weeks Ave • High Island Sunday School.........................9:00 am Sunday Worship Service.........10:00 am UMYF.............................................3:00 pm First United Methodist Highway 124 @ Freeman • Winnie 296-4382 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship....................10:45 am UMYF.......................................6:00 pm Sunday Worship......................9:30 am Sunday School.......................10:45 am

SmithPoint Community Church Smith Point Sunday School.......................10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Trinity Church 1324 Hwy. 124 • Winnie Sunday Happy Hour...............9:00 am Morning Worship.................10:00 am WednesdayEveningWorship....7:30pm House of Prayer Fannett Elementary School 409-794-9470 Sunday Services.............2:00-5:00 pm HankamerCommunity Fellowship FM 1663 @ FM 1724 • Hankamer Sunday School.....................10:00 am Sunday Praise & Worship..11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study........7:00 pm Lighthouse of Hope Church 507 6th St. Winnie, Texas (at the corner of 6th St. and Oak St.) 409-782-5354 Sunday Worship....................10:00 am Wednesday Worship..............6:30 pm Word of Life Church Please call (351) 999-4923 to participate in our phone church services: Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Church services 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 pm

Pentecostal

Calvary Tabernacle 1210 FM 1406 • Winnie 296-2020 Sunday School........................2:00 pm Sunday Worship.....................2:45 pm Thursday Evening...................7:00 pm (Children’s Church, Youth Service & Bible Study) - Pastor Carl A. Vickery Calvary Tabernacle UPC 11185 Mahon Rd, Fannet Pastor Steve Adams 409-201-8033 Sunday 1pm, Thursday 7pm First UnitedPentecostal Church 1352 Walter Street • High Island 286-5444 Sunday Worship....................10:00 am Tuesday.....................................7:30 pm

PAGE 5

Business Directory

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

Clark Freight Line Bus Pg Ad:May 21 ad 11/29/17 11:39 AM Page 1

Bus Pg Ad:May 21 ad 6/28/17 1:11 PM Page 1

Winnie Dairy Queen Hwy 124 South P.O. Box 981 Winnie, TX 77665

(409) 296-2116

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

McCall BS pg:May 21 ad 6/28/17 1:10 PM Page 1

C & V WRECKER SERVICE Craig Stowe Owner

PO Box 1376 2425 Hwy 124 S. Winnie, TX 77665

409-296-9542

Clark Freight Lines, Inc. Pasadena, TX 281-487-3160 Beaumont, TX • W. Memphis, AR Birmingham, AL • Nashville, TN

www.clarkfreight.com

“Trucks Move Your World”

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice from Dr. Nedrana Boutte This notice is to inform the Winnie-Stowell community and the surrounding communities, that my last day with Riceland Clinic Winnie will be April 29, 2022. All patient medical records will remain at: Riceland Clinic Winnie 538 Broadway Winnie, TX 77665 TRINITY BAY CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS ACCEPTING RESUMES FROM INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS FOR THE POSITION OF GENERAL MANAGER. THE DISTRICT WILL ACCEPT RESUMES UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2022. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT DIANE NEWSOME AT DIANE@TBCD.ORG.

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

Classifieds

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Free for individuals selling personal items

Call (409)296-9988 • Fax (409)296-9987 htpress99@gmail.com

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 6

Let our readers know about your garage sales, help wanted, services.... Deadline: Monday before publication at 12 noon

FOR RENT

Palms RV Park 721 9th Street, Winnie. Showers, laundry room, wifi, propane bottle exhange, privacy fence, security cameras. 409.673.5927 For Lease 4 BR 2 bath 1 car garage. 936 Van Ostrand, Winnie. $1550.00/ month. Call 409-363-4570

House for rent: brick house, 3 bed 2.5 bath, inside has washer, dryer & refrigerator. very nice house. one month $1,200. One year contract please call 832-298-8159

HELP WANTED Handyman needed for only a few hours work around the house and yard. 409-296-6224 General Labor crew needed. Duties include: shoveling, weed-eating/ mowing, pouring concrete, laying pipes and clearing land. Background check and drug screen required. Tempto-hire - $12.00 per hour. Call us at 835-5566.

House for Rent 3 BR 1 1/2 bath $1100.00/ month and $1100.00 deposit. No utilities. Call Reenay 409-201-0399 1600 sq. ft. for rent. Window display, Highway frontage 409-781-0918 For Rent 2 bedroom, 1 Part time bath, 1 car garage. Stove, maintenance man refrigerator, dishwasher needed. Apply at included. Washer-dryer hookups. No pets or Winnie Square smoking inside. $850/ Apartments month, $850 deposit. 218 W Magnolia Ave Application required. #33 Call 409-781-3352 Winnie TX 6 or 12 month lease 1000 sq. ft. office space 409-296-2100 for rent. 409-781-0918. 2BR, 1B, kitchen FOR RENT with built-ins, Franzen Rd, 725/mo; House for rent in Winnie. 4 0 9 6 7 9 9 7 7 3 3 bed, 1.5 bath + game room, fenced HELP WANTED backyard. Brick house in nice neighborhood. Hatfield Garage $1,200 month +deposit. Mechanic Needed Call 4 0 9 - 7 8 9 - 0 2 8 9 409-296-3333 One BR apartment $600.00/per month, $600.00 deposit. No utilities Call Reenay 409-201-0399

.ARBO:RETUM o:F.WINNIE RE Due to our continued success, we are now taking applications for full time and part time positions. Great work environment and only 25 miles from Port Arthur or Beaumont.

Certified Nurse Aide

We offer competitive pay with benefits. Come join our TEAM. Apply in person at 1215 HWY. 124, Winne, TX 409-296-8200

FOR SALE Metal Shelves $10 each 4 available Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Set of metal steps. $40 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Disk and scoop for tractor $25 each Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

FOR SALE Cub SI40 farm tractors - 14’50’ mobile home large dog house metal garden tiller - 3 drilling rigs want to buy disk - brush hog - tractor w/ front loader. 281-788-7838 For Sale 28' Triple Axle Gooseneck Trailer $6500.00. Call 409-267-3063 Cow hay for sale 4x5 round bales bahaia grass 35.00 per roll stored outside 409-781-2236 New Craftsman electric biscuit joiner with case never been used. $150.00 interested call 409-5536831 in Winnie,TX 2005 Crown Vic Intercepter: Clean, dependable, new tires, brakes, great ac, etc., $3, 800.00. 281-414-6353 Trailer axles $40.00 - $100.00 each, PVC pipe 1 1/2 to 4" $50.00, Call 409-457-5204 Commercial gas tank for sale $700. refrigerator for sale $80. please call 832-298-8159 2012 Jeep Compass runs good. A/C works but does not cool well. Work vehicle $5000.00 Call 409-277-1065 2000 Ford gas tractor parts. Call for prices Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Window air conditioner $50 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 4 tires size 33x12.50 R18LT $100 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

FOR SALE

SERVICES

Canal City lot for sale by owner on the middle canal undeveloped Lot #302, 1468 Van Sant Gilchrist TX call Alan 409-939-3240 no texts $30,000

Garry BrattenExperienced Handyman. No job too small or large. 409-354-8280.

2004 40' Mountain Air motorhome, made by Newmar. 250 Cummings diesel, 6 speed Allison transmission $25000.00 Call 409-277-0883 or 409-277-9872

7 1/4 acres furnished house lots of outside equipment. 409-284-5543

For sale: Bradford, Brangus, and Hereford bulls. Call 713.875.5703 Part-time shop help For Sale 28' Triple needed for weekends Axle Gooseneck Trailer and some weekdays. $6500.00. Call 409-267-3063 Trailer axles $40 - 100 each If interested please Located in Stowell call 409-296-6980. 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

Name:_________________________ Address:________________________________ City, State, Zip:__________________________

$25.00 Mail Check or Money Order to: The Hometown Press PO Box 801, Winnie, TX 77665 409-296-9988 We Accept Most Major Credit Cards

LOG HOMES

PAY ONLY THE BALANCE OWED!

JUST RELEASED: AMERICAN LOG HOMES is

assisting estate & account settlement on houses

LOG HOME KITS

selling for BALANCE OWED with FREE DELIVERY

TexSCAN Week of Jan. 23-29, 2022 ACREAGE Hunting/investment/recreational property. Starting at $650/acre. Trans Pecos region. Also the Hill Country (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde Counties free ranging exotics), South Texas (Duval County - whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage. 30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down. Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720.

LOG HOMES Log Homes – Pay only the balance owed. Just Released: American Log Homes is assisting estate & account settlement on houses. Log Home kits selling for balance owed, free delivery. Model #101 Carolina, bal. $17,000; Model #203 Georgia, bal. $19,950; Model #305 Biloxi, bal. $14,500; Model #403 Augusta, bal. $16,500. View plans at www.americanloghomesandcabins.com; 704-368-4528.

REAL ESTATE

Ranches at Deer Crossing (near Stephenville) – Grand ADOPTION Opening Land Sale, Sat. & Sun., Jan. 29-30, 10-acre Sunlit California nursery awaits newborn. Loving homesite only $99,900; 5-acre homesites from $59,900; family promises secure future, devoted grand- 5 acres and new barndo shell only $119,900. 877-701parents, education, gentle pet. Generous living 3337 x 633, RanchesatDeerCrossing.com. expenses. Contact Amanda 650-785-9819 or attorney MEDICAL 310-663-3467. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual AUCTION Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus proce37th Annual DeWitt County All Breeds Bull & Female dures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount Sale – Sat., Jan. 29, Cuero Livestock Commission plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Co. Bulls sell at 11 a.m., Females sell immediately Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-901-0467 following. Sponsored by the DeWitt County Purebred www.dental50plus.com/txpress #6258 Breeders Assoc. and the DeWitt County Beef and WANTED Forage Committee. For more information: Anthony Netardus, 361-275-0816. Online cattle sale viewing FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and bidding: cattleinmotion.com. and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient.

GENERATORS

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 855-704-8579.

Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com Need Extra Cash – I Buy RVs & Mobile Homes –Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, Goosenecks, Bumper Pulls. In Any Area, Any Condition – Old/New, Dirty or Clean! I PAY CA$H. No Title – No Problem, we can apply for one. ANR Enterprises, 956-466-7001.

Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 221 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

Model #101, Carolina, $40,840 Model #203, Georgia, $49,500 Model #305, Biloxi, $36,825 Model #403, Augusta, $42,450

NEW HOMES:

BALANCE OWED $17,000 BALANCE OWED $19,950 BALANCE OWED $14,500 BALANCE OWED $16,500

Serious Inquiries only Call: 704 368-4528

. Never been manufactured . NO TIME LIMIT FOR DELIVERY . Comes with complete building blueprints and Construction Manual

* Windows, Doors and Roofing not included

Before Calling View House Plans at

www.americanloghomesandcabins.com

Wade A. Thibodeaux

Publisher wade@txmediacorp.com 409.656.5677

PO Box 801 • Winnie, TX 77665 (409) 296-9988

FREE WANT ADS POLICIES TWO KINDS OF WANT ADS

PAID/BUSINESS WANT ADS

FREE WANT ADS

for NON-BUSINESS PURPOSES:

Individuals & Non-Profits (furniture, clothes, garage sales, etc) Ads are inserted on a space-available basis with no guarantee of insertion.

All business want-ads, Including small & home businesses (babysitting, yard services, house cleaning etc.) 1 time - $10; 4 times - $32; 12 times - $72 • Include payment w/ ad • Online: thehometownpress.com • Cash, check, money order or credit cards accepted.

TO PLACE WANT ADS: www.thehometownpress.com Drop Box: Market Basket,Winnie Mail: P.O Box 801 Winnie, Tx 77665

DEADLINE is Noon Monday for the current week’s issue. Free ads run space permitting. Must resubmit to re-run. Limit of 25 words per ad. Ads will be run on a space available basis.

Include phone number(s) and limit your ad to 25 words or less. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ MAIL TO:

PAGE 7

Culture/Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

A reliable source sent me to a pond that traditionally has ducks in the winter. It was a cold day last week when this picture was taken, and no ducks were present. It supports his and others’ reports that there are fewer ducks this season. Photo by John Jefferson.

Stetson Wright Claims First Career PRCA Division 1(contd)

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

A GOOD DAY FOR DUCKS

By John Jefferson

Texas has almost always had some of the best waterfowl hunting in America. Sure, there have been years when production in Canada or the northern states’ prairie potholes was a little off or warm weather in those areas kept the birds there. Having grown up in the rice belt near the southeast Texas coastline, most everybody had a shotgun and quite a few had retriever dogs. They took waterfowl season seriously. The last I heard; they still do. Deer season wasn’t as im-

Welcome Neighborhood Net Readers!

portant then. There were few deer, if any, until Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) began extensive restocking. People had shot and eaten every bit of protein on the hoof they saw during the Great Depression. Then the infamous screw worm took care of most of the rest. What few deer there were didn’t last very long. Duck season reined as the shooting sport of choice among hunters. Hunting clubs and duck leases were on everybody’s minds when they heard that first flight of geese overhead in the fall. Squirrel season even took second place. I remember seeing a neighbor standing just off the pavement on Lucas Drive firing a .22 rifle at a low-flying flock of honkers. (Don’t try that! It’s illegal.) Among some, waterfowl hunting still takes precedence – especially considering the cost of deer leases. I invited a new family member to join our deer lease once, and he politely told me in his alphabet, the letter D stood for DUCKS -- not deer. He joined the lease but hunted our ponds more for ducks than he spent in deer blinds. An October TPWD press release this year spoke of possibly a good duck season for 2021-2022. The waterfowl biologist quoted, however, pointed to low production in the prairies. But he reported

good flights already arriving in the flooded rice fields and marshes. Most indicators looked fairly good. That was then. Winter in the north came late and birds seemed content staying there. Texas had a couple of light freezes, but warm, dry weather followed. Duck hunters I rely on for information told of miserable hunts with very few birds. One who is as dedicated as any I know and has a duck lease nearby; said he has killed ONE duck so far. Another verified the lack of birds. A duck hunter and 40year veteran guide along the coast echoed what the hunters said. He returned my call from Kansas where he had gone to find birds. There were plenty there. He offered several explanations, the first being not enough cold weather to push birds south. He also pointed to habitat changes in the rice belt. When water was withheld, some farmers quit farming rice. “We don’t have the food we used to have for them,” he told me. Human populations also increased in traditional areas. He suspected ducks changed directions toward the east. Another guide also told me that last year. Duck season ends January 30. Let’s hope last week’s cold front brought more birds.

He and Josh Frost were the only cowboys to cover two bulls in the two-day event, Jan. 18-19. Frost finished with 172.5 points on two head. Wright put his victory in motion with an 88.5-point ride on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo's House of Pain. "I have been on that bull like four times and had success on him, so I was happy to have him, but he was harder to ride this time than he's ever been," Wright said. Wright was the final rider to compete in the short round and he made the most of the opportunity registering a 90-point trip on Rafter G Rodeo's Johnny Thunder. "That was my third time I have been on that bull," Wright said. "The first time was at my first NFR in 2019 (and he had an 86-point ride in Round 6). I had him as re-ride bull (in Round 7 of the 2021 NFR), but he stumbled, and I got another re-ride in that round. So, this was

a good rematch for me. "I was trying to stay loose and cool because I felt like the last time, I got on him I clamped down on him and even though he stumbled and fell I felt like when he got up, I still should have ridden him. Today I made sure I stayed in the right spot the whole time." In his latest battle with Johnny Thunder, Wright said there were some tense moments. "When he jumped forward and got me in a bad position I was just going to hold on as tight as I could to make the whistle and luckily I didn't have to hang on for that long," he said. "It was dang sure a relief (to get the win) because I never had any luck here in Fort Worth. That place has just chewed me up and spit me out every time I went there. One thing I think that impacted my riding last year was I was starting to get superstitious about certain rodeos. This

year I changed my mindset and decided I was going to win all those rodeos that had beaten me up in the past." Throughout his short, but decorated career Wright has never won an Xtreme Bulls Tour title and he's hoping to change that narrative in 2022. "That's for sure on my list to win," Wright said. "I didn't realize how big of a deal that was until last year in Pendleton (Ore.). I rode good at the Xtreme Bulls Finale in Pendleton, but I didn't do enough to win the Tour. I thought I hated the Xtreme Bulls but that was just another superstition, and this was a good way to start off the 2022 season. I'm going to make a run for that title." As for season goals, Wright didn't hesitate with an answer. "I don't think I will be satisfied until I win that triple crown (in all-around, saddle bronc riding and bull riding) Wright said.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Community

Gaming Connects American Military Members With Loved Ones

(StatePoint) For military members, video games are not just a fun way to unwind during downtime, they can provide much-needed stress relief and are an opportunity to connect with friends and family. For these reasons, the United Service Organizations (USO) has focused part of its mission on providing military members with opportunities to connect and relax with video games. Many of these games require players to form collaborative relationships with other gamers, during which service members can

discuss the challenges of their lives beyond the screen. Beyond featuring dedicated gaming areas at a growing number of USO centers, the nonprofit hosts gaming events, including the “Operation Play it Forward” Streamathon, which took place over Veterans Day on the USO’s Twitch channel, twitch.tv/theuso. Sponsored by USAA, Pratt and Whitney and GEICO Military, the second annual Streamathon was a 72-hour gaming experience, tripling 2020’s 24-hour event. Service members from around the

ed with us during an exciting 72 hours of gaming with some of the most popular video games and creators out there right now,” says Callum Fletcher, USO Director of Global Gaming Operations. In recent years, the emergence of platforms such as Twitch and Discord has allowed service members to connect with their family and friends while deployed or serving in geographically separated locations. Since the inception

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

of its gaming program, the USO has hosted 90 events featuring USO gaming ambassadors, celebrity engagements and tournaments. In addition, the organization is planning to open more gaming centers in the months to come. With the support of Razer, gaming centers will soon be well-equipped at Marine Corps Base Quantico and Eglin Air Force Base. To learn more about how the USO gaming program has evolved, visit uso.org/gam-

PAGE 8

ing. More information about USO entertainment programs can be found at USO. org/MVP. To join the USO Discord, head over to discord.gg/ theuso. “Gaming provides the military community with opportunities for stress relief and entertainment,” says Fletcher. “And thanks to new technologies, it also provides connection to loved ones, civilians, veterans, and the broader community of gamers.”

world were joined by family, friends and special guests, including USO gaming ambassadors, entertainers and celebrities like Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, Pittsburgh Steelers' Juju Smith-Schuster and Twitch streamer Tfue. As part of the Streamathon the “Battle of The Branches,” presented by GEICO Military, featured service members teaming up with top gamers to compete in “Call of Duty: Warzone.” “Members of the military community, military supporters, celebrities and fellow gamers connect-

Show love for your community by getting tested, vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19. RICELAND HEALTHCARE is offering drive-thru testing in front of the hospital (You don’t even have to get out of your car!) from 8am-11:30am and then again from 1pm-4pm Monday thru Friday! Pfizer and Moderna Vaccinations are also being offered on the west side of the hospital from 9am-11:30am and then again from 1pm-4pm Monday thru Friday, just follow the signs for entrance! Pfizer for Kids is available Tuesday and Thursday from 8am-11:30am and then again from 1pm-4pm! To order, contact Wade Thibodeaux at (936) 581-5161 Texas Media Corp

1(844) RICELAND