Join the fun at an area wide dance that will support the Navarro Mills Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, October 16, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Corner of FM 744 and FM 667)

All three IYAA football teams, supported by their cheerleaders, won all three games on Saturday against the Dawson Bulldogs at Willis Field in Italy. The IYAA will be hosting their final home games next Saturday, October 16, starting at 9:00 a.m. against the Rice Bulldogs.

The congregation of Bethel United Methodist Church in conjunction with the Bethel Cemetery Association invites everyone to attend it’s 59th Annual Lord’s Acre Sale on Saturday, October 16th. Festivities will kick off at noon with a free barbecue lunch, followed by the auction that will raise funds for the church, cemetery and the completion of the new Bethel Community Center.

The monthly Prime Timers Luncheon held at the Central Baptist Church (CBC) in Italy, not only served up a great meal to guests, it also gave the community a chance to meet and enjoy a discussion with Ellis County Commissioner of Precinct 3, Heath Sims, who highlighted the current status of the county and gave insight into the everyday business of the Commissioners’ Court.

Blooming Grove — The Blooming Grove Lions(2-4), head coached by Scott Doring, hosted the Italy Gladiators(4-2), head coached by Craig Bales, Friday night in a 2A-2 Region II District 11 district opener for both sides. The Lions came off a 31-7 loss to Teague while the Gladiators were riding a three game winning streak coming into the contest after toppling the Life Mustangs 63-0 in their last outing.

The Italy City Council will conduct its regular monthly meeting tonight, October 11, 2010. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 105 Main Street, Italy, Texas and will begin at 7:00pm immediately following the 6:00pm Proclamation Reception honoring the 2010 IYAA Volunteer and Citizen of the year.

The Milford Bulldogs were plum terrific in Blum forcing officials to invoke the 45-point lead mercy-rule after the Bulldogs went up 50-0 over the Bobcats in the third quarter Friday night. The Bulldogs travel to Trinidad this week hoping to win their conference opener over the Trojans.

A house explosion at the intersection of Morgan Road and Highway 77, between Italy and Milford, rattled homes in both towns providing an alarming start to everyone’s Sunday morning around 7:05 a.m.

Tammy Wallis (Stafford principal) has just started an attendance incentive at Stafford Elementary for the teachers. The winners get to enjoy a free meal at Chili’s.

Diane Gasparro wanted to give her husband Frank a special birthday this year since it would be his sixtieth. So, on October first she chartered a bus in Dallas, gathered up about forty five friends and family members and headed to Italy, Texas.

The State Fair of Texas is here! Not only the food is an attraction but the rides on the midway and the exhibits bring people from all over the state to see the annual phenomenon. The fair has been in existence over 100 years. Thousands of people enter the gates to seek thrills and spills and gawk at Big Tex in the beginning of fall.

Rufus Loyd Davidson, age 83, of Italy, passed away Friday, October 08, 2010 at Trinity Mission Health and Rehab. Loyd was born May 11, 1927 in Frost. He retired from Italy High School after 30 years of service. He loved Italy Athletics and all of the students. He was a member of the Central Baptist Church of Italy. Loyd was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will hold a called meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 to conduct interview(s) for an Interim Superintendent. The meeting is slated for 6:00pm and will be held in the Italy ISD Administration Building located at 300 S. College Street.

The purpose of the Teacher’s Heart Award is to recognize teachers who display the qualities of character that define an outstanding teacher. This teacher will have a heart for her or his students and inspires and creates a desire in others to learn. A teacher with heart delivers quality education in a nurturing and caring environment free from hostility and sarcasm. Good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.

When I walked into the principal’s office at Stafford Elementary I was met with some of the biggest smiles I have ever seen. Six students were filled with pride over being chosen as “Tigers of the Month”.

The Italy JV Gladiators were able to reschedule a game during their bye week with the Palmer JV Bulldogs this past Thursday. Italy scored first but Palmer kept at it and eventually claimed the lead and held on for the win.

Central Baptist Church (CBC) is holding an event on Sunday, October 31st called “The Alternative”.

Tuesday Night in Milford was buzzing with excitement. Once again, the City of Milford went all out for National Night Out. Just about everyone in town was there and having a great time.

The Italy School Board of Trustees accepted a voluntary separation agreement and release from Jimmie Malone, superintendent, at a called meeting Tuesday evening.

There were many happy faces and shiny cowboy boots on October 2, as competitors in the Ellis County Equine Association gathered for their year-end banquet at Lakeview Camp and Conference Center in Waxahachie to receive a menagerie of custom made awards in honor of their hard work to win championships throughout the 2010 ECEA horse show season.

This week is fire prevention week for Stafford Elementary.On Monday the Italy Volunteer Fire Department brought over their beautiful fire truck for the students to see.

David Del Bosque (Avalon ISD Superintendent) is a member of Texas Association of Rural Schools. Last week Del Bosque was in Lubbock, Texas attending one of the conferences the Association puts on throughout the state. He did a presentation called Texas Public School Funding, The Target Revenue System and the Effect on a small District-Avalon ISD. He expressed his concern for the rural schools and he talked about how legislators need to make education a priority. His presentation focused on school funding and why it needs to be changed.

In Week 4, IYAA football players and cheerleaders traveled to Palmer to take on the Bulldogs in their own back yard. There were plenty of big plays and even bigger smiles, and by days end, it’s the experiences gained and the camaraderie shared that coaches and mentors hope will benefit our local youth in their future endeavors.

After falling in their season opener to Richland Springs, the No. 3 ranked in 6M DII Milford Bulldogs (5-1) have posted three consecutive shutouts and outscored the last four opponents 236-14. Milford’s latest victim, the No. 20 ranked in 6M DI Walnut Springs Hornets, were 4-1 coming into Friday nights game but are now 4-2 after Milford defeated the Hornets 52-6 to cap off a week long Homecoming celebration for the Bulldogs.

Ellis County Commissioners approved two proclamations during Monday’s regularly-scheduled meeting. The first declared Friday, October 1, 2010 as “Pink Out Day” in support of breast cancer awareness, while the second recognized the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 106 in celebration of its one-year anniversary.

The Milford Bulldogs, their cheerleaders, the Milford High School Band and Bulldog alumni and fans will be celebrating Homecoming 2010 tonight in a battle against Walnut Springs starting at 7:30 p.m. at Milford High School.

There will be a called meeting of the Italy ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. The meeting will be held in the Italy ISD administration office at 300 S. College Street. Meeting time is 7:00pm. The lone agenda item reads: “Consultation with Board’s attorney regarding Superintendent’s Voluntary Separation Agreement and Release.”

James Marvin Helms, age 53, of Italy, passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in Waxahachie. He was born March 14, 1957 in Waxahachie to James Wendell Helms and Norma Sue Cates. James Marvin was formerly employed with H & H Oil in Waxahachie as a construction superintendant and Estes Electric as a master electrician. He loved building and racing dragsters. James Marvin was a loving son, father, grandfather and brother.

Seventy years ago two young teenagers decided to run away and get married. Of course they didn’t tell their parents until the deed was done. Seventy years later Henry and Alice Muenster are still happily married.

Even though it was raining cats and dogs it did not dampen the spirits at the Family Fellowship Church where they were hosting an outdoor Back to School Blast Saturday afternoon.

The Italy City Council will have a called meeting on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 105 Main Street, Italy. Meeting time is 6:30pm. Business to come before the council will pertain to closing out the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Good news for all you hardcore Gladiator fans, there will be a Junior Varsity football game at Willis Field in Italy on Thursday, September 30 at 5:30 p.m.

ITALY — The Italy Gladiator (3-2) defense posted their second shutout in a row and earn their third straight win after annihilating charter school Red Oak Life, in this their first varsity season, 63-0 at Willis Field in Italy Friday night.