2015: The Year in Review

As hard as it is to believe that 2016 is beginning, it is true. 2015, though it seemed to fly by, had it share of newsworthy events. Here is how the year began: January The Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce re-elected all 2014 officers for the upcoming year. Rocky Thomasson was re-elected president, and the officers were all selected to continue in their current roles. Keitha Nilsson continued as vice president, while Cresta LeFevre was selected to serve another term as secretary/ treasurer. Directors, who were elected in Dec. 2014 by the chamber’s membership, are Tracey Climer, Shane Pennington, Tolita Teddleton, Becky Brezeale, Keres Fite, Marie Bankard, Janice Bryant and Penni Connor. “There’s no place like home” was the theme for the 2015 Hughes Springs Chamber Banquet and Crystal Globe Award. Carol Griffis was presented the “Citizen of the Year” award at the banquet. February The Steel Country Bee welcomed a new editor on Feb. 3, 2015. Toni Walker’s first article for The Bee featured the annual Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby race, held in September. The Daingerfield Chamber Banquet was held on Feb. 28, and “A Year to Celebrate” was the theme. Mrs. Laura Bass was awarded the “woman of the Year” Award by the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Martha Baker was chosen as the “Chamber’s Citizen of the Year.” Citizens in the area woke up on Feb. 25 to a blanket of fresh, white snow, prompting school closures over most of the area. On Feb. 27, the Daingerfield branch of the First National Bank of Hughes Springs was robbed at gunpoint. Through the combined efforts of the Daingerfield Police Department, the Longview Police Department, and the F.B.I., Texarkana Office, Latarious Martez Hughes, 21, and Kenneth Duane Hooks, 23, were arrested a short time later. Both men were both formerly residents of Daingerfield. March “Lost in the 50s” was the theme of the Avinger Chamber Banquet, held at the end of February. Mrs. Bobbie Fort was announced as the “Educator of the Year.” Mrs. Fort has been teaching for 49 years, and was chosen for her many years of dedication to the students of Avinger. Renovations on Tiger Stadium began with the removal of all fencing around the stadium. The stadium renovations were approved by the Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD School Board of Feb. 27. The work would include new turf, and a completely new track. April After racking up runs by the dozens during the season, the Hughes Springs Lady Mustangs softball team was crowned District Champions for the second year in a row. The Lady Mustangs, consistently led by Breanne Gunn, Bailey Tenbrook, Peyton Blythe, and others, faced Prairiland in the first round of playoffs, in what was a rematch from 2014. This time, the Mustangs topped the Patriots, to advance in the playoffs. A spring storm ripped through the Daingerfield and Hughes Springs area in late April, uprooting trees and ripping the roofs off of buildings in the area. The roof of Charles’ Barber Shop, in Hughes Springs, was blown onto First Street by the storm. There were no injuries from the storm. May The Christian Learning Center, which is an arm of The Next Level Pentecostal Church in Daingerfield, spent time making dolls to send to Nepal, which was devastated by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25, 2015. At least 8,421 people lost their lives in the massive quake. Joe and Jessica Whinery, of Pittsburg, started the Dolls to Nepal organization with the mission of “Supplying the essentials to Nepali children.” On the organization’s websites, it states “We are a camaraderie of teachers, students, veterans, and farmers who are dedicated to reaching these children in need. Some of us have direct ties to Nepal, some live there, some have traveled there, and some are just dedicated to helping others. We are not driven by a political agenda; all funds will be used to provide essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter to Nepalis in need.” In an effort to reach out to the Nepali children affected by the quakes, Dolls for Nepal donates one handmade doll for each $10 donation received. The dolls are simply a token of hope, the main mission of Dolls for Nepal to provide food, water, clothing, and shelter to those in need.

To continue reading this article, purchase the December 31st edition of the Steel Country Bee, or go to our online e-edition at: http://www.etypeservices.com/Daingerfield%20BeeID312/default.aspx