Meagan Hooker is a sixteen year old junior at Italy High School with a burning desire to help preserve our wildlife and to help conserve our world that we live in. So much so that she wants to tell others what she has learned and how others can gain knowledge to help the cause.

Do you know any woman that just can’t wait to go see her doctor? Can’t wait for their yearly check up? I don’t. Therefore lots of women just don’t go, they simply don’t like to go, so they don’t. After you hear Diane’s story I bet anyone that reads it will make it a point to get their yearly check up.

Sarah Elizabeth DeMoss and Thomas Drew Fulfur united in marriage in an evening backyard ceremony at their new home in San Angelo, Texas on May 24, 2011. Pastor Jay Teague of Freedom Fellowship Church married the two by the light of tiki torches.

Injured Gladiator senior, Brandon Souder, received a grid-iron heroes welcome as he returned home from the hospital.

Dow Anna McGregor grew up volunteering. Her mother, Francis Dunaway McGregor volunteered at hospitals, nursing homes, churches and people’s homes. So it was just natural that Dow Anna McGregor would follow in her footsteps.

First Lieutenant Andrew Freeman, a former Italy student, went in harm’s way for his country and was injured last week in Afghanistan.  The following info is from his dad, Ray Freeman: 

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You all have seen the brown UPS truck zipping all over Italy. You have probably waved at the driver and you got a wave and a big smile back. Well, that man is Hal Cox and he has been running the Italy UPS route for about twenty four years. Cox, who has been with UPS for thirty years is retiring and today is his last day.

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Wyatt Ballard is just a cute kid, just by looking at him you would not know what challenges he faces. Wyatt is autistic. With lots of love, patience, hard work by his parents and teachers he is thriving. He is now ten years old and is going into the fourth grade.

Megann Lewis and Andrew Harlow were married on Saturday, May 21, 2011.  It was a sight to behold and the crowd went away with song in their heart and happy memories of a beautiful wedding.

In the summer of 2005, Leddie Lackey of Maypearl was excited to have the summer off. She was raising her two children on her Teacher’s Aide salary, so big elaborate vacations were not in her plans. She had the summer off from her job, so she planned a road trip with her best friend, Jill Talamantez, to Minnesota to visit Jill’s family.

Soon we will honor and celebrate the beauty and birthday of Mrs. Ethel Harvey born on March 3, 1910. We praise God who put the sun in the sky that shines down from the heavens and warms this loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great Grandmother.

Our little city of Italy is truly a very pretty place to live. Everything is kept clean and looking good. But what everyone probably does not know is that a big part of the reason for our city being so clean and pretty is Lou Martina.

Debbie Knott loves living and working in Italy. She has lived here for about thirty years and wouldn’t live anywhere else. So it just makes sense that she would be the Citizen of the Month.

“I am not very comfortable accepting accolades. I do what I do because I love helping other people and getting involved. I prescribe to the old African proverb that says it takes an entire village to raise a child. I was reared in Italy, I feel like I need to give back because this whole community helped in developing me,” said Elmerine when asked what she thought of being ‘Citizen of the Month’.

Hunter Morgan loves competition. You might say he thrives on it. Whether it is on the golf course or on a grill at a cook off, he loves to compete.

I went to Trinity Mission and visited Buna Guthrie to do an article for her “100th” birthday (August 5th, 2010.) I was greeted with a hug and so much warmth I never wanted to leave. She told me of her love of Christ and how life had no meaning without him.

A caring host family (with or without children) is needed to provide food, a bed and a loving home to Ilona from Germany. She was looking forward to her school year in Milford Texas and is scheduled to arrive on August 21st. Her initial host family had to cancel and it would be great if another family would take their place and welcome her in their home. Ilona is 15-years-old and will be entering the 10th grade.

Miss Taylor Ashlee Turner age 14, daughter of Ronda and Paul Cockerham of Italy, has been chosen as a State Finalist in the National American Miss Texas Pageant to be held Sunday, July 11 and Monday, July 12 at the beautiful Hotel InterContinental in Dallas, Texas. The pageant is held for girls ages 13 through 15.

Ervin A. Byers, once the dentist in Italy between 1960 and 1992, celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends at the Doris Mitchell owned and operated Uptown Cafe in Italy, Texas. Also celebrating a birthday on “Doc’s” special day was his fifth born son, Brentley Byers.

Italy High School freshman, Meagan Hooker, was selected as one of 30 students to participate in the South Texas Buckskin Brigade camp in Carrizo Springs, Texas this June. Learning about wildlife, natural resources and land preservation, this 14 year old developed her leadership skills and refined her knowledge about conservation in Texas.

ASA umpire Joe Windham, a graduate of Italy High School, was selected along with two other umpires from Ellis County to serve as UIL officials and make the tough calls during the UIL State softball tournament this season.

Updated – Sunday, May 30 at 4:00 p.m. — A former softball player for the Italy Lady Gladiators from 2003 to 2006 and currently an Angelo State University Lady Rambelle’s senior, #12 Sarah DeMoss is leading the charge for the 19th ranked Lady Rambelles during their 2010 NCAA, Division II, Softball National Chamionship quest, with all games being played in St. Joseph, Missouri at Heritage Park.

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Samantha (Shelley) Nance, a brilliant artist and a 2007 IHS graduate, will continue to be lovingly remembered after her Memorial Garden dedication ceremony at Italy High School on Monday, May 24, held to honor her life.

Currently a Biology major at Hardin-Simmons University and a member of the Cowgirls Softball Team, 6-foot Junior righthander #13 Megann Lewis was honored by the coaches of the ASC and named the American Southwest Conference West Division Pitcher of the Year.

Danny Neil, a graduate of Avalon High School, had known Ronnie Compton, a graduate of Italy High School, all his life. Their parents were friends so the boys had grown up together and knew each other very well. After graduation from high school, however, the friends lost track of each other.

Mayme E. Onstad, local writer and longtime resident of Italy, has published her first children’s book, Urple Fishing. It is a picture story book for kids ages 4-8 years old. Mayme has teaching principals in her stories, “Lessons they need to learn,” Onstad says.

Jessie and Kimberly Zambrano of Bardwell are proud to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Kimberly Nichole Zambrano of Waldo, Arkansas to Tyrel Gregory Nuttall of Waldo, Arkansas, son of Greg and Carol Nuttall of Dierks, Arkansas.

Wendell Wolaver is a fourth generation “Italy-ite” born and raised in Italy. He was born in September 1933 in a home right around the corner from where he now resides. He is very proud of his home town and is honored to be Citizen of the Month.

Carey Smith is the Composer-in-Residence with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra in Meridian, Mississippi. He was invited to present “Second Suite for Jazz Quintet and Orchestra”, an original composition, at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark in January. The composition was chosen for recognition in the New Music section of the Annual Conductors Guild Conference.

The dream of living in America has come true for a German teenager, at least for one school year, in of all places, Italy. Lisa Olschewsky, 16, is attending Italy High School as part of a foreign exchange student program coordinated by the Educational Merit Foundation.

I thought it might be fun to share some pictures of our Editor, Mike South, in his business travels this week to Peru. What struck me when I saw these pictures bright and early this morning was that Mike was wearing his Italy Baseball shirt. Go Italy! (Even in Peru!)

Amanda (Zambrano) Wilsford graduated from Texas A&M University at Commerce on December 19, 2009. An IHS honor graduate in 2002, Amanda received her associates from Navarro College in 2004 and has now earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Texas A&M Commerce.

Daniel Seay, Italy Gladiator alumni ’91, and the Aledo Bearcats(15-1), head coached by Athletic Director Tim Buchanan, celebrated winning the Region 4 Division II State Championship on December 19.

Friday night was an eventful night with seniors being presented, a district football game and generally, excitement all around. A special tribute was given to local #1 Gladiator fan, Bobby Itson. Besides being a big fan of the Italy Gladiators, Itson is also a veteran. He served in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Bobby was a Staff Sargent when he was honorably discharged. He was honored before the game as the American flag was raised by the FFA.

Last Friday, Italy welcomed two very special visitors to town. Paul Bottalico and his friend, Rose, were visiting from Santa Ana, California. At one time, Paul had very strong family ties to the “Biggest Little Town in Texas”.

When Larry Swanson retired from the City of Italy in 2003 due to health concerns, he really would have preferred to continue to work. After all, he has never been the type of person that could just sit around doing nothing. The change in lifestyle of staying home every day has been quite an adjustment.

Amber graduated on May 8th, 2009 with her Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She graduated Cum Laude through Texas A&M University-Commerce and took all her classes at the Navarro College Campus in Midlothian. Navarro and A&M Commerce have a partnership and she suggests that anyone interested in furthering their education should check out the programs they have to offer.

Sarah Demoss, one of Italy’s standout softball players and a member of the Angelo State University softball team, has seen another one of her dreams come true. She played in the Division II National championships in Salem, Virginia in May.

Megann Lewis, daughter of Russ and Kelly Lewis of Italy gave the Vernon College commencement address on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Wilbarger Memorial Auditorium. Lewis was the Valedictorian of the 2007 graduating class of Italy High School. She is the only graduate at Vernon College this year to receive two degrees, an Associates of Arts Degree and Associates of Science Degree.

Megann Lewis, the 2007 Valedictorian of Italy High School, was honored as the Vernon College Outstanding Student of the Year during the Honors Convocation held in April. During the ceremony, Megann was also recognized as the top English student and top Agriculture student.

Sometimes, without warning, life deals someone a blow that changes their life and their future forever. Steve Mitchell is one of the people that had that kind of life changing event when he was a young boy. But, the amazing thing is that even though it changed him physically, it did not change his true makeup or his spirit. Steve knew he was going to make it no matter what the odds were and against all odds.

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, the Kayrene Uehlinger Scholarship was presented to Tyler Boyd during the morning worship at Central Baptist Church in Italy. This is the second year that the Class of 1968 has made the presentation.

Irma Gonzales will never forget May 11, 2006. It was the day that changed her life forever. It was the day the doctor told her she had Stage II cancer. She did not feel bad nor did she have any symptoms other than a small lump on the right side of her neck. A CT scan confirmed what the doctor suspected. Irma had cancer of the tongue that had spread to her lymph nodes.

The Hubbard Chamber of Commerce will recognize Jerry Don Smithey, a 1979 graduate of Italy High School, at its 20th annual Chamber Banquet which will be held on Saturday, March 28, 6:00 p.m. at the Haralson Family Life Center in Hubbard.

Alvin and Mayme Onstad, long time residents of Italy, Texas hope to start a new business. This couple has come up with a way to cut their electric bill in half.

Can you imagine going to a routine dentist appointment and ending up in a doctor’s office where you were then diagnosed with cancer? That is what happened to Delores Fikes of Italy.

When Cindy Sutherland moved from Waxahachie to Italy with her family in 1986, she had no idea that thirteen years later she would be on the path she has chosen today. Life sometimes deals us hard times. How we deal with these times sometimes tells others what we are made of and what is important to us.