Polk County News - Breakout

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Livingston Junior High School Student Josylin Clark placed third and Livingston Junior High School Student Edward Turk placed first in a Patriot’s Pen essay contest for junior high school students that was sponsored by the VFW Post 8568. The students read their essays and were presented with medals and a cash scholarship during a scholarship banquet Monday. (l-r) Post Quartermaster Dannelle Reichert, Clark, Turk and Post Commander Phillip Sinnett. Courtesy photo

By Kristina Miller
Contributing Writer

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8568 and Auxiliary hosted the 2022-2023 Scholarship Awards Banquet Monday.

In the fall, the VFW sponsored a Patriot’s Pen essay contest for junior high students. Livingston Junior High student Josylin Clark placed third for the post, White Oak Middle School student, Brady Mears placed second and LJH student Edward Turk placed first. The students read their essays aloud and were presented with medals and a cash scholarship. Post Commander Sinnett told the students “Your words about your pledge to veterans and why veterans are important made several voting members tear up when they read the essays.” 

Jacob Mears from New Caney High School won the high school Voice of Democracy contest, which is also sponsored by VFW and presented a speech on his entry and then received his medal and cash scholarship. 

LJH teacher Hattie Criswell was honored as Teacher of the Year by the post and received a token of appreciation. Post Quartermaster Dannelle Reichert stated that Criswell is also a coworker and that she has a “beautiful soul, knows her curriculum and makes people feel welcomed at LJH.” Post Commander Sinnett said, “Education is a tough career field and you work each day with compassion and grace. Thank you for your hard work in shaping the future generation.”

During the event, the Livingston High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) posted the colors. The Navy Choir followed by singing the National Anthem and “God Bless the U.S.A.” A prayer was led by Post Chaplin, David Peltier and Post Commander Phillip Sinnet greeted guests. A pasta dinner was served and Reichert presented a welcoming address.

Cadet Ensign Jamie Hopson of the NNDCC provided an overview of the LHS program and talked about how the program has grown from 37 cadets to 123 through the years. She discussed various awards and recognition that the program has received, then shared about her personal experience in the program. She spoke of how the cadets learn leadership skills, teamwork, honor, effective communication skills and that the program provides opportunities for students to lead in various positions. Hopson stated that, through the program, she “gained family members and a support system.”

The evening ended with Penny Uselton of the Auxiliary speaking to the guests, stating, “It’s nice to see some young people are being taught at homes and school about the importance of our country, our freedom and our veterans.”

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach has an immediate need for a volunteer receptionist. Tasks will include greeting clients, answering the phone, data entry, social media posting and scheduling appointments.

“We are looking for an individual who has a heart for parents in need of our services. It must be someone dependable, trustworthy and trainable,” Executive Director Misty Nettles said. Applications may be picked up at 414 S. Washington in Livingston.

G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach offers prenatal care, education, community referrals, peer counseling and materials assistance to Polk and 18 other surrounding counties and all the services are free. The program operates out of its location at 414 S. Washington in Livingston.

Pregnancy tests, Medicaid referrals and limited ultrasounds are offered. Additionally, referrals for housing, job searches, childcare and food are also offered. The group works closely with Oasis Resale Shop and Habitat for Humanity Resale Shop to provide needed items for the clients.

“We know this is a low socioeconomic area but we want our moms and our dads to have an abundant life,” Nettles said, adding that the program is a non-profit and relies heavily on donations.

G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach is a big proponent of education. A variety of classes are offered including prenatal, childbirth, parenting, breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum and much more. Also offered is a program called “Earn While You Learn,” which allows clients to accumulate points through the classes and then spend the points on baby and maternity items. Series of classes are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Also on staff are a client service coordinator, a social worker and two lactation consultants who are also certified childcare consultants.

“We get a lot of girls that are scared to death and don’t know what to do so they come to us because everything we do is confidential,” Nettles said, adding, “We’ve really been able to see some beautiful transformations.”

The phone number is 936-327-8440 and the Facebook page is G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach Inc.

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The Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce has issued a release to alarm businesses in the area that are receiving phone calls from Liberty Marketing. The company is stating that they are creating a county map to be distributed by the chamber office.

This map will not be distributed by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce. In the past, the chamber has asked Liberty Marketing to let businesses know which chamber of commerce will be distributing their map. According to the local chamber, they are misleading businesses. This map will not be distributed by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce located in Livingston and serving the Greater Polk County and surrounding area. The chamber is not telling businesses to refrain from advertising on the map, that is a choice. However, the money collected is not staying local and the chamber is not aware who will distribute the map. 

The Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to produce its official Polk County Map, that will be published by the Polk County Publishing Company. Jessica will contact chamber members to see if they wish to buy an ad. This map will be distributed by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

Those with questions may contact the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce at 936-327-4929 or contact Jessica with Polk County Publishing Company at 936-327-4357 ext. 1014.

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From Enterprise Staff

The American Legion Post #312 will remember the sacrifices of four brave chaplains with a reenactment ceremony at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

On Feb. 3, 1943, during World War II, an American troop ship, the SS Dorchester, left New York in route to Greenland. In the early morning hours, the SS Dorchester was torpedoed by the German Submarine U-223 off Newfoundland in the North Atlantic. There were four Army chaplains aboard – Father J.P. Washington, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Reverend George L. Fox and Reverend Clark V. Poling.

These four chaplains, also referred to as the Immortal Chaplains, amid chaos, freezing cold and fear, helped soldiers don life vests and board lifeboats. When all of the life jackets were gone, these four Chaplains, without hesitation, selflessly gave up their own life jackets to soldiers. Of the 902 soldiers, Navy, Armed Guard crew and civilian passengers on board, only 230 survived. When last seen, the chaplains had joined arms, were praying and singing hymns as they went down with the ship.

The American Legion Post #312 is located at 816 U.S. Hwy. 59 Loop North in Livingston.