Don’t forget Milford’s First Annual Texas Music Festival is this Saturday at Miss Millie’s Restaurant and Music Hall in Milford – of course!

On Tuesday night, at the conclusion of the parent meeting with Ms. Parker, the new principal at Italy High School, the Athletic Booster Club past president, Becky Milligan, addressed the parents, “If you are a parent of an athlete or support Italy athletics, we invite you to join the Booster Club. The club has new fundraising ideas and we want to build a program that will keep building.”

School starts full swing for Italy ISD on Monday, August 24. Probably for most school districts in the area. Have you done everything you wanted to do this summer? Seen the sights? Maybe this is the last weekend for awhile for some traveling. Take a moment and read what our great state has in store for the local traveler.

There will be a meeting of the Italy Economic Development Committee held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on August 20, 2009. This meeting was previously slated as being held at the Uptown Cafe. The location has since been formally changed as noted in the posted addendum. The agenda denotes presentations by David Miracle, the newly hired consultant of the Italy EDC.

On Tuesday night, the Italy High School cafeteria was filled with parents, faculty and school board members to meet the new principal, Tanya Parker. Superintendent, Jimmy Malone, introduced the newest member of the administration to the crowd.

Nothing was going to stop Chris Baker from having movie night August 14th at Trinity Mission – not even the rain. Baker went outside after the rain and dried everything off so no one would miss “Movie Night”.

The City of Italy Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has embarked on an exciting project that needs your participation. On August 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM, the EDC will host an economic development planning meeting with several of the City’s key stakeholders. These stakeholders will be chosen from the EDC, City Council, Italy ISD, local business owners and other community leaders that have a stake in the future economic development of the City.

Monday evening at 6:30 pm the city council met to go over the proposed budget for the City of Italy. Mayor Frank Jackson, Mayor Pro Tem Rodney Guthrie, Dennis Perkins Jr, Greg Richards, Mark Souder Sr. and John Droll were all present.

Trinity Mission loves to be involved with the community. Chris Baker (Marketing Director) had an idea to help the local schools with school supplies. "Many parents can’t afford to get the necessary school supplies for their children. Our goal was to donate backpacks with several school supplies to three local school districts.

The City Commission chambers in Ennis served as the site for a pre-construction meeting for the Ellis County Sub-Courthouse located in Ennis recently. The construction contract for the new facility, to be located in the 300 block of South Sonoma Trail, was awarded to Prime Construction in a recent meeting of the Commissioners’ Court.

After roughing up one another in two-a-days practices over the past two weeks, the Italy Gladiators Varsity and JV teams were allowed to take their hostilities out on the Blooming Grove Lions. There were plenty of big hits and big plays from both sides, but most importantly, the Gladiators had a chance to shake the rust off their gold helmets. It has begun…

On Saturday morning, the birds were singing, the sun was shining and all was right with the world. That’s how some people felt. That was the day Roy Glaspy was awarded the first scholarship given by Hobbs Feed on Hwy 77 and 34, next to Mansell’s. The newest business in town, owners Joyce and James Hobbs want to be a part of this community.

The Italy City Council will meet tonight, August 17, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 105 Main Street, Italy, Texas. During the regular session of this meeting it is slated that the council will discuss and consider necessary action regarding water system improvements and final payment to TTG Utilities, L.P. Immediately following the regular session there will be a Budget Work Session for the 2009-2010 budget.

Marilee Byrne is the principal for Milford ISD. “One of our biggest accomplishments this year was we were able to make recognized in our accountability rating and we are very proud of that.”

The Board of Trustees of the Italy ISD will have a meeting on Monday, August 17, 2009. The meeting will begin with a budget workshop that will move into a budget hearing. The board will then reconvene into the regular monthly meeting. Agenda items for this meeting include the consideration of purchasing a 2010 School Bus and adoptions of resolutions setting the tax rates.

Carolyn Maevers is a very dedicated principal for Stafford Elementary. Her goal for her students is for them to do their best and aim for the top scores in school and in life.

Margret Day, principal of Avalon ISD cannot wait for school to start. She was very impressed with what the students accomplished last year and cannot wait to see what they will achieve this year.

It’s the beginning of scrimmage season and the Lady Gladiator Volleyball teams are taking full advantage of the time. They started two-a-days last week with Coach Andi Windham and Coach Jennifer Reeves. The JV and Varsity squad is ready to take on the competition.

The Italy Gladiators Varsity and JV football teams will scrimmage the Blooming Grove Lions Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. in Italy at Willis Field. Fans are asked to donate a white towel toward the Gladiator cause.

Under the guidance of Mr. Jesus Perez, the Gladiator Regiment Band began its summer workouts on August 4. Mr. Perez is relying on his two new Drum Majorettes, Jessica Hernandez and Molly Haight, to help get the IHS band members marching tall and looking sharp.

Angel Food Ministries is so excited with all of the new things that are going on. They now have a hand held Community Access Terminal — which means they can now accept credit card and debit card payments and more easily process Lone Star Card payments! The terminal will also cut down on paperwork.

During a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 10, Ellis County Commissioners voted to set the date, time and location of three public hearings required by statute.

The benefit for Casey Valdez took place this past Saturday evening around 5:00 PM. Everyone was there. The Milford Senior Citizens Hall was filled with people purchasing the barbeque dinners.

Laura and Randy Brogdon of Italy, Texas, announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsey Brogdon, to Seth Buchanan, son of Earl and Jennifer Buchanan of Italy, Texas, and Roland and Kelly Cale of Waxahachie.

The Board of Trustees of the Italy ISD will have a called meeting on Monday, August 10, 2009. The board will conduct a budget workshop for the 2009-2010 school year operating budget. There will also be a presentation by Mr. Bill Herries of A+ Learning Systems.

The Italy City Council will have a meeting on Monday, August 10. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall beginning at 6:30. Agenda items include setting the 2009 Property Tax Rates, establishing hours of operation of the George E. Scott Memorial Park, and Ronald Janek will be addressing the Council concerning the stop signs placed at Seay and Ward Streets.

The first week of two-a-days for the Gladiators has come to an end, but not without having a little contact before the weekend.

Your 2008-2009 Italy Gladiators Yearbook will be a treasured keepsake and a lasting memory of the 2008-2009 school year at Italy High School.

Come and join the fun at First Baptist Church of Italy on August 10th – 14th for a “Cajun” vacation Bible school. It is a Cajun theme this year so watch out for the Crocodiles!

The Italy Gladiators are gearing up for a run at the District Championship with two-a-day practices beginning this week. Head Coach Craig Bales has his full coaching staff from last season and has his players thirsty for the title.

The IYAA Football season gets underway Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballfields. The A-Team (Majors), the B-Team (Minors) and the C-Team (Bantam) will each have their first practice to meet the coaches and their teammates.

The Board of Trustees of the Italy ISD will have a called meeting on Monday, August 3, 2009. The board will accept teacher resignations from Kelly Vernon and Jennifer Bell-Damours. Recommendations for the Spanish Teacher opening and the Special Education Teacher opening will be considered during Executive Session.

It was only fitting that after so many IYAA baseball games were rescheduled due to rain during the year that the season ending baseball/softball party endured one last storm.

The Methodist Children’s Home van meandered along its Waxahachie route on a hot June day with a group of giggling girls in tow. Amongst the chattering, the teens appeared to embrace their mission with both passion and purpose. Their goal: to deliver hot lunches to the elderly and disabled clients of Meals-on-Wheels.

Picture this – it’s last Saturday night at 8:30 in the backyard of Trinity Mission, lots of popcorn, a great movie and a big audience. What does this say to you? It says lots of “down home” fun.