October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. A reminder that each woman needs to self-examine or take a trip to the doctor for a yearly checkup. “Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer, when caught early before it spreads beyond the breast, is now 98% (compare to 74% in 1982).” These are a few facts about breast cancer from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website.

Halloween pumpkins decorate Italy Daycare Center

Image: Italy Daycare class - This is the three and four-year-old class at Italy Daycare Center having a great time painting pumpkins.

As you enter Italy Daycare Center you are greeted by some of the most amazing painted pumpkins. The teachers all painted a pumpkin to get prepared for Halloween. But, they are not the only ones with talent for painting pumpkins! The three- and four-year-old classes were having a great time painting their pumpkins for Halloween.

Corsicana Animal Shelter’s featured animals – Milly and Stanley

Image: Milly — This cute little Boxer really wants to go home with you.

Milly will be two years old on October 29. She is a beautiful female Boxer. Her owner could not care for her any longer. She is in need of a loving, permanent home. She is a sweet dog, very shy at first, but once she gets to know you she is your number one supporter. She is nervous around men but she is fine with kids and other pets.

Identity theft the topic of Prime Timers luncheon

Central Baptist Prime Timers will meet Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 113 S. Ward in Italy at noon. Church will furnish the brisket and sausage and everyone attending may bring a dish. Italy Police Chief, C.V. Johns will share information on ways to protect from identity theft. Anyone 55+ is encouraged to attend.

Stiles leads meeting for community leaders

The Italy City Council, the School Board of Trustees, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Italy Fire District held a joint meeting Monday evening, Oct. 6. Mark Stiles, president of the EDC, said all the entities in the community needed to work together to better the community. He said the city and school were lucky to have those on the council and school board. “You are doing a job nobody else wanted,” he pointed out.

Agenda: City secretary interviews

Image: Called meeting agenda 10/07/2008 — In a called meeting, Italy’s city council will interview Connie Mondragon, Joe Gambill, Jocelyn Cofer, Angela Cleversy and Susan Harris for the city secretary position.

Interviews for city secretary will be conducted in tonight’s called meeting of Italy’s city council. Connie Mondragon, Joe Gambill, Jocelyn Cofer, Angela Cleversy and Susan Harris are the candidates listed. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, located at 101 Main Street. All are welcome to attend.

Parent nominations for gifted and talented students

Italy ISD offers services to gifted and talented students in a variety of formats. If you student is not currently identified as gifted and talented, and you believe that your child shows these tendencies, then you may nominate him/her for the screening process which is divided into three elements: standardized test of mental ability, teacher judgment based on observation and characteristics, and standardized achievement test scores (if available).

Jan Libal new administrator for Trinity Mission

Image: Jan Libal — Jan Libal is the new administrator for Trinity Mission. “I love it here, this is a very unique little home. Italy is very fortunate to have it.”

Jan Libal was born in Carthage, Texas and was raised in Louisiana, right on the bank of Cado Lake in a little town named Moorings Port. The town was named after a river boat captain named Mooring. Her father moved his family to Texas when he was transferred by his company.

The power of a simple gift

Image: Samaritan’s Purse — The First United Methodist Church is one of three churches in town that is hosting “Operation Christmas Child”.

You might think it is a little early to talk about Christmas and when you go shopping for Halloween candy, the store’s plans of early decorating or seasonal music might even irritate you. However, you might consider as of October 6, it is 80 days (or 11 and a half weeks) before December 25. Samaritan’s Purse is an organization that can help you get on the right track.

Necroplex Haunted House

Image: What kind of monster? — This eerie character welcomes you to his home.

Last Saturday night, September 27 there is darkness everywhere. Far off in the night you can hear loud, frightening music. As you get closer to the music you begin to see some filmy light which exposes some very ghoulish looking characters. All of sudden you see children and adults running out the back of a haunted house, and you begin to realize there is a lot of screaming coming from inside the house.

Check out your weekend at a glance

Have you thought about doing something fun this weekend? Before you make your plans, look at the following schedule for things to do around the state of Texas.

Agenda: EDC will meet with Italy ISD

Image: EDC joint meeting agenda — Italy’s Economic Develepment Corporation will hold a joint meeting with Italy’s Independent School District board Monday, October 6.

Monday, October 6, Italy’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will be meeting with Italy’s Independent School District board. An EDC presentation will be given by Mark Stiles, followed by a question and answer period for all attendees. This portion of the joint meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Italy Municipal Building at 101 Main Street. All are welcome to attend.

Monolithic Pumpkin lights up the night

Image: Monolithic Pumpkin — Monolithic Pumpkin and Cindy Sutherland welcoming in Fall.

When you are driving down highway I-35 in Italy, Texas, don’t be afraid! Don’t let your imagination run wild. You really do see something. There really is something there, but nothing that will hurt you. The huge bright orange ball you see is just the Monolithic Pumpkin, welcoming in the fall season.

IYAA worked their Gladiator magic in Scurry

Image: Catch that Wildcat — Gladiator defense held the Wildcats back.

The three teams of IYAA lined up once again and fought hard, this time against the Scurry Wildcats on Saturday. Italy “C” team, consisting of K, 1st and 2nd graders, lead 20-0 at halftime. The young Gladiators changed the team around and changed things in the course in the second half. The final score was 31-19 with Italy putting another notch in their belt. Their overall record is 3-0.

Agenda: Italy city council meeting cancelled

Image: City meeting agenda 10/02/2008 — Thursday, October 2 Italy’s city council will meet concerning the Public Works director position. This meeting has been cancelled.

Thursday’s called meeting of the city council has been cancelled. Thursday, October 2, Italy’s city council will hold a called meeting concerning the Public Works director position. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, located at 101 Main Street. All are welcome to attend.

An open invitation

The children of Freddie and Josephine Ivy cordially invite you to join them for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration in honor of their parents on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 2 – 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Center of Central Baptist Church, 113 South Ward Street in Italy. Your friendship and attendance is a treasured gift — we request no other.

Jungle Safari for books at Stafford Elementary Book Fair

Image: Clifford gives hugs — Gary Clark, Sidney Lowenthal and Clifford the Big Red Dog all having a good time at the book fair.

Every year Stafford Elementary puts on a book fair to encourage students to read. This year’s book fair was a Jungle Book Safari theme. Everywhere you went you could hear wonderful music and everywhere you looked you saw children with their parents picking out lots of books. Not only does this encourage reading but it also provides family time.

Lions Club helps local students with glasses

Image: Arval Gowin — Arval Gowin is president of the Italy chapter of the Lions Club.

Wednesday, September 24, Italy Lions Club members along with some members from the Dallas Lions Club were giving free eye exams and free glasses to children that needed them. They were set up at Stafford Elementary and were serving children from Milford, Italy and Avalon.

Whatever it takes

Image: Josh Trees, JK owner — “Whatever it takes, some days we work twelve hour days, sometimes we work twenty four hour days, we do whatever it takes,” explained Trees.

Josh Trees graduated from Italy High school at 17, went to Hill College and received his associates degree. At the ripe old age of 19 he purchased his grandfather’s business, Best Disposal, when his grandfather decided he did not want it anymore.

IYAA Gladiators play hard at Blooming Grove

Image: Snapping into action — Italy “C” team playing Blooming Grove Lions last Saturday.

All three teams from IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) performed this past Saturday against Blooming Grove Lions. These kids are Kindergarden to 6th grade, divided into three teams. They are our future Italy Gladiators and the on the field training proves to be a good thing.

Italy wins district opener 40-7

Image: Mascots — The Frost Polar Bear welcomes The Gladiator.

FROST — The Italy Gladiators came away with their second win of the season Friday night with a 40-7 win over the Frost Polar Bears. Clay Major led the Gladiators with 79 yards on five carries and three of them for touchdowns.

Obituary: Lowell Hamilton (L.H.) Baker

Image: Lowell Hamilton (L.H.) Baker

Lowell Hamilton (L.H.) Baker, 82, of Waxahachie, Texas passed away on September 25, 2008. He was the only child born to the late James Edward and Maggie Lucille Baker of Italy, Texas.

Editor’s note 27 September 2008, 9:30 a.m. Corrections and the addition of where to donate in lieu of flowers.

Agenda: Openings in EDC, city council and at city secretary

Image: City council agenda 09/27/2008 — Agenda for Italy city council called meeting concerning openings on the EDC, city council and at city secretary.

Saturday, Sept. 27 the city council of Italy will hold a called meeting. The agenda includes the appointment of two people to the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the consideration of someone to fill the vacancy on the city council. Action to select a city secretary is also on the agenda. The meeting is at 8 a.m. in the council chambers of the Italy Municipal Building at 101 Main Street. All are welcome to attend.

Spirit soars among IHS students

Image: ITALY PRIDE  — ITALY PRIDE shines through these freshmen.  This is the original group.

If you have attended any Gladiator football game this year, you probably noticed a group of young men that stand out among the crowd. They are young; however, that does not stop acts of pride and loyalty to their school from shining through. The young men are none other than “ITALY PRIDE”, freshman from Italy High School with an idea they would like to convey.

Local fact or folklore?

Image: Jenny Linn Kilemol — Jenny Linn Kilemol lived in the warehouse with her family until that fateful night in 1972. It is rumored she has returned to reek havoc with the Italy community.

Most small towns all over the country are full of history and Italy is no exception. They have something else in common, too — folklore. Italy is rich with it. As all the old timers will tell you, Italy has had her share of strange tales throughout the years. The folklore seems to surface around the time of harvest or Halloween every year.