“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’. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

Milford High School graduate Daniel Nazar, has been accepted at the Harvard School of Law in Cambridge Massachusetts. Nazar, class of 1999, left Milford to attend the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 2003 with honors. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)

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!) (Continued…)

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. (Continued…)