Polk County News - Breakout

Write a comment

Another Rotary Club Pancake Supper is in the books. Funds raised during the annual event hosted by the Rotary Club of Livingston go toward the many local and global service organizations and projects that the club supports. Approximately 550 people were served during this year’s event, held Thursday at First Baptist Church. The evening included a live auction, a silent auction and a power point presentation of the club’s many community outreach projects throughout the year, in addition to the hot delicious supper. Auctioneer Clarke Evans and Rotary President Brandon Wigent prepare to start the live auction. Rotarians Debbie Jenke and Judy Cochran distribute to-go orders to those picking them up. Rotarians Judson Pritchard, Kayee Jones, Corky Evans, Bev Reed and Ron Boyce prepare pancake and sausage to-go plates for pickup. Rotarians Sydney Murphy and Mark Waters man the drink station serving water and tea. Photos by Emily Banks Wooten

Write a comment

Kristina Miller, UIL Coordinator, shows the latest hardware with Livingston Junior High Principal Jared Nettles.

In March, Livingston Junior High hosted the District UIL Academic meet for seven schools.

Livingston earned first place, obtaining a total of 74 individual medals. A banquet held last week honored these students, as well as one-act play participants, and students with outstanding achievements in choir.

One-act play was directed by Mike McHaney. Some students previously received medals at the competition, however all participants were recognized at the banquet. Cast and crew members were: Kamryn Blanchard, Aiden Hopson, Sabrina Larsen, Hudson Lester, Graesyn Reily, Angelica Fuller, Jessica Swindle, Adalyn Davis, Kinzley Newman, David Hughes, Charles Knox, Dacyn Strasheim, Kiley Hughes, Peiton Andrews, Millicent Davis, Kaylee Brown, Leah Stuebe, Juana Valtierra, Isabella Brown and Cloee Nelson.

Choir Director Renee Vore recognized the outstanding success of some of the junior high varsity and non-varsity choir members. These students were: Cameron Ivory, Heavin McCullar, Maddison Harrison, Olivia Dodge, Angela Calderon, Athan Filtz, Alexis Keever, Leilani Puga-Hernandez, Kylie Boddie and Mia McGregor. Each student received a certificate at the banquet and has previously earned medals at their contests.

UIL Academic Coordinator, Kristina Miller encouraged sixth and seventh graders to continue participating during the 24-25 school year and to invite friends to join. She also spoke to eighth-grade students and parents about the many opportunities available in high school and encouraged all to participate.

“There’s literally something for everyone, Miller said. "They travel to several practice meets and participate in different levels all the way up to state.”

Miller also spoke about scholarship opportunities for those who participate and are successful in UIL.

Principal Jared Nettles thanked parents for their support, congratulated students for their success, and spoke about how setting goals, working hard, and meeting those goals results in making champions. In addition, he thanked teachers for their dedication to the program.

Write a comment

There were lots of smiling faces and excited children at the Easter egg hunt recently hosted by the Mickey Reily Public Library and the City of Corrigan. Children from one to 10 hunted over 5,000 stuffed eggs. There was also participation by R.E.A.D. Inc. of Polk County which is the local sponsor for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Courtesy photo

From Enterprise Staff

The Mickey Reily Public Library and the City of Corrigan hosted a well-attended Easter egg hunt in Corrigan March 22 with over 5,000 stuffed eggs ripe for picking.

Children from one to 10 brought baskets and buckets, filling them with Easter eggs that were filled with prizes. Raffles tickets were given out and door prizes presented, and the children also had the opportunity to take pictures with the Easter bunny.

Judy Blain, president of R.E.A.D. Inc. (Reading Encourages Advanced Development) of Polk County, and Joyce Davis a board member of R.E.A.D., attended the event, eagerly signing up new students for the program. R.E.A.D. Inc. of Polk County is a non-profit organization that is the local sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, through which books are sent to children in Polk County from birth until they reach their fifth birthday.

Blain and Davis were happy to hear good reviews of the families of the children already participating who love the free books that they receive each month addressed to them with their own name on them.

LaDonna Ray, retired director of the Mickey Reiley Public Library, shared her story about when she and her family, including her grandchildren, went to Dollywood Theme Park in Tennessee and Lauren, LaDonna’s daughter, said that she would go back because there were such wonderful things to do and the people were so kind.

Corrigan Mayor Johnna Lowe Gibson, Library Director Monique Bookman and Assistant Director Dana Vanya thanked the parents, grandparents and friends for bringing their children, as well as the policemen who served, the R.E.A.D. Program and all who helped in any way to make this Easter egg hunt a great success.

Write a comment

Landon Lohmann, production manager of the RoyOMartin OSB Plant in Corrigan recently presented the RoyOMartin Foundation $12,000 grant to R.E.A.D of Polk County Inc., the Polk County sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. (l-r) R.E.A.D. Board Member Sydney Murphy, Plant Manager Josh Oliver, Production Manager Landon Lohmann, R.E.A.D. President Judy Blain, R.E.A.D. Treasurer George Huson, HR Manager Adiana Mosley and R.E.A.D. Board Member Joyce Davis. Courtesy photo