The 1A Italy Gladiators competed against the 5A Trinity Christian Cedar Hill (TCCH) Tigers this past Saturday to decide the winner of the Italy Invitational Tournament. The game featured fast paced offenses, dramatic lead changes and a the winner wasn’t determined until the last seconds.

In the 2nd round of the Italy Invitational Tournament, the Italy Gladiators prove their worthy by defeating an athletic All Saints squad. This victory propells Italy into the Championship game, but the win didn’t come easy.

Who would have ever thought that I would open a restaurant? This was Juana Martinez’s (owner of Mamma’s Place) thoughts when her Pastor suggested she open a Mexican restaurant. “I had never even worked in a restaurant before,” stated Juana.

The trees are trimmed, the stockings are hung and the mistletoe proudly suspends from the ceiling in the hallway. The students of Italy High School have adorned the walls with various decorations and it is wonderful to walk around the school just to enjoy the scenery.

Saturday, December 13th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM the city of Italy will have it’s first annual Christmas Festival and Christmas parade. Santa Claus, his elves and even Frosty the Snowman will be on hand. They have also just added more fun to this festival. They will have cash prizes and other great giveaways!

Christmas songs could be heard as you entered the front door of Trinity Mission Tuesday morning. The beautiful singing was coming from the Stafford Elementary Kindergarten classes that came to entertain the residents.

Family and friends gathered at the Uptown Cafe as the ESD #3, Italy Fire Chief, Don Chambers and Captain Jackie Cate honored the local firemen at an appreciation dinner Monday night. Each volunteer was given an award for years of service.

Milford High School band was on a mission Monday, December 8th to spread Christmas cheer through their music.

The Italy Gladiator’s Varsity Boys would have to beat the Mildred Eagles in overtime to advance to the 2nd round of the Italy Invitational Tournament. However, a well coached Mildred squad was determined to pull off the upset.

The Italy Varsity Lady Gladiators win their second game of the season in dramatic fassion defeating the Mildred Lady Eagles in the 2nd round of the Italy Invitational Tournament. Italy Head Coach Stacy McDonald cried tears of joy after Italy’s second comeback win in two nights of competition.

The Varsity Lady Gladiators sporting their black uniforms were pumped up to battle the Waxahachie JV Lady Indians in the Italy Invitational Tournament Championship. The Lady Gladiators were forced to ‘circle the chariots’ since the Lady Indians were shooting jumpers and layups like precision arrows in this game.

In the first round of the Italy Invitational Tournament, the Italy Varsity Lady Gladiators would have to come from behind to beat the Venus Lady Bulldogs if they were to make it into the second round.

The Italy City Council will consider action on the city water rates and deposits during tonight’s regular city council meeting. The agenda is light on what they are considering doing to the rates, just that they plan to discuss it. Other agenda items include:

The fourth annual Reading Marathon will be in full swing Dec 8-12 at the Italy High School Library! Students, faculty and staff will be participating in a week-long event that will have someone constantly reading in the “Reading Parlor” in the library from 8 a.m. Monday morning until school dismisses at 3:20 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

Alyssa is a beautiful two year old Domestic Short Hair calico cat. She has a good personality and likes to be loved on.

Italy Varsity Girls & Boys will be playing in the Italy Invitational Tournament Championship Saturday, Dec 6th. The Varsity Lady Gladiators play Saturday, at 6:00 p.m. for the championship. Italy’s Varsity Boys play in their championship game at 7:30 p.m. Everybody make it to the Coliseum and cheer loud for our Italy basketball squads and let’s get the Dome Rocking!

This week names were released for the District 13A All-District Honors for volleyball. Five Italy students received honors, as well as five from Avalon, four from Milford and four from Frost. The list reads as follows:

The Coliseum – Italy’s 7th grade boys make strong showing against a talented Hampton squad featuring one of the top Junior High prospects in the state. Also, Italy’s 8th grade boys show improvement as they leave it all on the court against the Hampton Phoenix.

Tis the season to be jolly and spread the joy of giving to others! There are several “Angel” trees in Italy and Milford with many “Angels” waiting to be adopted.

The holidays are here! There are so many activities that can fill your upcoming days and we list a few here for you. You and your family can have many opportunities to celebrate the upcoming season in style.

How about some basketball? If you are interested in some high school action, Italy High School is the place for you to be December 4-6 at the dome. Play begins at 9:00 am on Thursday.

The Coliseum – The Italy Junior High girls basketball squads competed with the upstart Hampton Preparatory School which is in it’s first year of operation. However, the Hampton Phoenix didn’t lack confidence as they gave it their all against Italy.

The Junior High level UIL One Act Play competition was held November 22nd at Frost ISD. Milford ISD took second place. Khristy Strange (co-director) said, “ I have enjoyed working with this group. We worked hard and it paid off. All of the kids were fantastic."

The First Baptist Church youth group is taking orders for Poinsettias. This fundraiser will be raising money for the youth to go to camp. The camp is held at Three Mountains Retreat in Clifton, TX.

Italy High School Honor Rolls for the second six-weeks of the 2008-2009 school year:

The IYAA will be having its end of the season football/cheerleading banquet on Saturday, December 6, 2008. The festivities will start at 12:00 p.m. and end around 2:00 p.m. at the Stafford Elementary School gymnasium in Italy, Texas. Hotdogs and beverages will be provided before the trophy ceremonies.

Alyssa is a female cat about 2 years old. She is a dilute calico in color. She is a friendly, lovable cat that is ready to find a “fur-ever “home.

Those of us that are fortunate enough to live in the United States of America have so much to be thankful for.

Jesus Perez has loved music since he was a small child. He was raised in a musically inclined family so music surrounded him as far back as he can remember. While growing up, his father played and sang in a gospel band. His brother. Luis, plays bass, sax and guitar. He has a one year old nephew that has already shown signs of becoming a drummer one day much to his delight.

Friday, November 21st around 9:00 AM Stafford Elementary had it’s six weeks Honor assembly.

Friday at 11:30 AM many senior citizens were at Milford ISD enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal. They were all seated in the library with turkey and all the “fixins’ all set on beautifully decorated tables.

The “Ned Show” came to Stafford Elementary Monday morning. Wow, what a show! The speaker named Jeff with his yo-yo and his cardboard friend Ned were able to teach the students how to be champions in anything they do in life.

Dirk, a brown, white chested dog with black spots was lost. The Garcia family is offering a $200 return for their family pet. If you see him, please call 214-364-8558, or 469-474-1313.

Josh was honored on Monday morning at Italy High School with a breakfast party during the class. Dr. Harold Nolte, President of Navarro College in Waxahachie, paid for all the refreshments to celebrate Josh’s win.

If you would like to sign-up your girl(s)/boy(s) to participate in the IYAA Basketball league for the 2008-’09 season, sign-up forms are available at the Fina station located in downtown Italy.

The Italy Economic Development Corporation plans to meet Monday night. On the agenda for consideration: EDC charter, EDC website, resignation of Kinze, seven member limit, by-laws, administration, delinquent franchise tax notice, future joint meetings. It sounds like a busy meeting. The Italy EDC will meet in the city council chambers behind the police station, next to city hall. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

ITALY – The Italy Varsity Boys left the Meridian Yellow Jackets in their dust all night long as the Gladiators were simply driving through the lane in a different gear.

A hustling Italy J.V. Boys squad launched a relentless assault on Meridian and buzzed by the Yellow Jackets in the first game of the season. Italy dominated both defensively and offensively outscoring the Jackets by 20-points.

ITALY – The Italy Varsty Girls squad competed against the speedy Chilton Lady Pirates at home in the Coliseum. The Lady Gladiators stayed the course but the Lady Pirates sailed out in front early.

District 21-A

Thursday night at the monthly captain’s meeting for Relay for Life many things were discussed such as various fund raisers.

The Italy Gladiators mascot has made the final Daily Ticket selection of best and most unique team names. It’s time to show some spirit for our school mascot and cast your vote in this fun & exciting poll before Monday!