The Italy Economic Development Corporation moved forward with the demolition of the unusable community center and recently acquired adjoining building.

The IYAA B-Team Gladiators (3rd & 4th) go back-to-back as undefeated Superbowl champions by defeating the Scurry-Rosser Wildcats 33-13. The IYAA C-Team Gladiators (K-2nd) lead at halftime but fall to the Ferris Yellow Jackets 25-13 and finish the 2010 season as Superbowl runner-ups.

The Italy Economic Development Corporation will have their regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 22, 2010. The meeting will be held at the Italy City Council Chambers at 105 Main Street, Italy, Texas and will begin at 7:00pm.

The Italy Ministerial Alliance will not be open on the first Monday of December (12/06/10) due to Christmas basket delivery on Saturday, December 11.

Vinsen Faris, former President of the Meals on Wheels Association of Texas and Executive Director of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, Texas, has been elected to the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) Board of Directors. Faris’ leadership role comes at a critical time.

The IYAA would like to invite Gladiators fans to Blooming Grove on Saturday, November 20, for the NESA 2010 Superbowl games between Italy’s C-Team Gladiators (K-2nd) and the Ferris Yellow Jackets, starting at 10:00 a.m., followed by the IYAA B-Team Gladiators (3rd & 4th) and the Scurry-Rosser Wildcats starting at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday evening Trinity Mission hosted their annual Thanksgiving dinner for the residents, family members and friends and once again the “house was packed”. If you got there a little late there was no parking and you got to stand at the back of a very long line to get your dinner but indeed it was well worth the wait. The food was wonderful and the company couldn’t be beat.

Tammy Wallis (principal) has introduced two new learning programs for the computer for the students and teachers at Stafford Elementary. They are “Study Island” and “Reading Eggs.”

Wednesday morning Stafford Elementary was visited by the Morris Brothers. The students were laughing, dancing and cheering to all the fun the Morris Brothers brought to the “stage.” They were even chanting, “school is cool.”

For ten years Holly Spraberry has been teaching kindergarten at Stafford Elementary, until this year. She now teaches computer skills to kindergarten all the way up to the sixth grade.

Emma Jean Davis, age 85, of Italy, passed away Monday, November 15, 2010 in Mansfield, Texas. She was born July 13, 1925 in Lancaster, Texas to James Lynn and Lottie Mae (Wade) Weaver. Emma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Italy.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) and their C-Team and B-Team Gladiators and cheerleaders will represent Italy in the 2010 NESA B & C-Division Superbowls this coming Saturday in Blooming Grove after both squads won their Conference Championship playoff games this past weekend in Scurry-Rosser.

Enlisting in 2006, one year after graduation from Italy High School , Marine Sgt. Jacob Simon, one of the honored guests, spoke words of truth at the Italy ISD Veteran’s Day Celebration on Thursday.

The City Of Italy held a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Wastewater Treatment class last week. The class was arranged to help the city employees obtain their state requirement certification and is one of many classes to come.

The City of Italy Park Board will meet on Tuesday, November 16, 2010. The meeting will be held at the Italy City Council Chambers at 105 Main Street, Italy, Texas and will begin at 5:30pm. The lone agenda item is slated as a discussion and possible action regarding the annual Christmas Festival.

On Saturday, December 4, the Italy Lions Club will have their annual Pancake Breakfast. Breakfast will be served at the Fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church located at 200 Clark Street, Italy from 7:00 to 11:00am. Santa might even stop by!

The Milford ISD band was playing patriotic music and two young men of the Tri-M Student Honor Guard were carrying the flags across the auditorium presenting the “posting of the colors.” It gave me goose bumps.

Tobin Davis starting teaching physical education at Stafford Elementary October first. She hopes to help students get exercise and fun at the same time.

Straight from the heart and into the yearbook! The yearbook staff is now offering the opportunity to “personalize” the yearbook in a very special way with a recognition ad. To reserve your space, pick up an information packet and order form from Mrs. Bowden, room 113.

Lacey Reavis is the new Kindergarten teacher at Stafford Elementary. She started at Stafford six weeks ago and is loving her job.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have its regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 15, 2010. The meeting will be held in the Band Hall of the Italy High School campus at 300 S. College Street, Italy. Agenda items include a discussion of a Superintendent search. Meeting time is 7:00pm.

As you enter George E. Scott Memorial Gymnasium, a faint cheering of fans can be heard as excitement fills the lobby where trophy after trophy reminds us of our great Lady Gladiator and Gladiator legends from the past. After grabbing a snack from the concession stand, guests make their way into the gym where the intensity on the court merges with the roar of the crowd. It’s game time again!

Tuesday night gave the Italy Lady Gladiators’ fans a glimpse of what we can expect to see during the 2010-2011 basketball season. By all indications, this is going to be another exciting run for the varsity ladies after they took care of business against the Kemp Lady Yellow Jackets to start their season 1-0. Just as impressive was Italy’s JV team who played very aggressively against Kemp and set the tone for the entire season.

Charles (Charlie) Williams has a tough job ahead but said he welcomes the challenge. He hit the ground running last week when he took over as interim superintendent of the Italy ISD.

The Italy Park Board will sponsor its Third Annual Christmas Festival and Parade Saturday, Dec. 4 in downtown Italy. The board nailed down specifics at a called meeting Tuesday evening.

On Sunday, November 14th, the youth of the First Baptist Church of Italy will be hosting a Scentsy Party at 2:00pm at the FBC Fellowship Hall. A portion of monies raised will support youth activities and events.

The City of Italy Park Board will meet on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. The meeting will be held at the Italy City Council Chambers at 105 Main Street, Italy, Texas and will begin at 5:30pm. The lone agenda item is slated as a discussion and possible action regarding the annual Christmas Festival.

ITALY — It was Senior Night in Italy as the Gladiators (5-5, 2,3) hoped to conclude their season with a win over the Centerville Tigers. Italy’s football seniors including Jasenio Anderson, Heath Clemons, Colton Campbell, Eddie Garcia, Tavarus Griffin, Jacob Lopez, De’Andre Rettig, De’Andre Sephus, Ethan Simon, Kyle Wilkins and Bobby Wilson were recognized before the game along with their families.

Italy High School will have their Veterans Day program in the Multi Events Center (Dome) on November 11 at 9:30 a.m. All veterans and community members are welcome to attend.

There will be a regular meeting of the Italy City Council today, November 8, 2010 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, 105 Main Street. The meeting is open to the public.

Old western clothes, spurs, cowboy boots and bandannas were the costume for the day at Central Baptist Church in Italy, Saturday, October 24-in other words your “Sunday-go-to-meetin’” clothes. The church hosted a city-wide Annual Round Up for the youth and adults. They all had a rip-roaring time at the Rodeo.

Local equestrians suited up in spooktacular costumes for the 5th Annual Flying Dollar Ranch Halloween Horse Show and Playday on October 30 in Italy.

Red Ribbon Week, (October 25th – 29th) is celebrated each year at Stafford Elementary teaching the students about drugs. The students make a pledge to not ever do drugs and seal it with their hand print. Along with learning about drugs every day during Red Ribbon Week is filled with fun.

It has now become tradition at Trinity Mission to hold a Fall Festival for the residents and the Stafford Elementary students every year around Halloween.

Axtell — The Axtell Longhorns (7-2,4-0) stay undefeated in district play and improve to 4-0 against their 2A-2 Region II District 11 competition after deflating the playoff hopes of the Italy Gladiators (4-5,1-3) Friday night in Axtell, 35-28.

Friday, November 5th Central Baptist Church is hosting the last 5th Quarter of the season! This will also be the biggest as it will be sponsored by Citizens National Bank, Chick-fil-a, IHOP, Chilis, Dairy Queen, McDonalds and Magic Mirror Salon.

The Cleburne Lady Jackets and the Midway Lady Panthers will battle for a 4A Bi-District title at the Italy High School Coliseum on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Game time is 7:00pm. Admission prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students.

Most athletes refuse to accept moral victories. However, every so often, the Football Gods will send you a sign that your team is heading in the right direction. On Thursday, the Italy Junior High Gladiators ended their game with the Axtell Longhorns in a 22-22 tie, Italy’s first ‘non-loss’ of the season. And moral victory or not, it sure was fun being a Junior High Gladiator on Thursday.