The North Central Texas College Foundation hosted its annual Starlite Gala on April 6 honoring individuals and organizations that have given of their time and resources to further NCTC and their local communities.
With this year being NCTC’s 100th Anniversary, the event honored donors, students, and community members who have been pivotal in the college’s success.
The Centennial Starlite Gala was presented at the WinStar Convention Center with more than 500 guests in attendance.
The F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that can be granted to graduates and former students of NCTC. The NCTC Foundation established this award 30 years ago, fittingly named in honor of the college’s distinguished president of the Class of 1926.
In honor of the Centennial anniversary, NCTC elected to honor a couple with this award. This year’s F.M. Hemphill Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Tim and Sherry Sicking.
The NCTC Foundation established the Ed Wright Community Service Award to recognize individuals, organizations, and/or businesses for meritorious service to the college and/or the community.
The award for Montague County was presented to Bowie’s Nancy Blackmon, who has dedicated her life to education.
She spent more than 24 years helping educate the youth in the community to her own family’s future by ensuring her four grandchildren successfully finished their college careers.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

Pictured: Nancy Blackmon receiving the F.M. Hemphill Award at the Starlight Gala for North Central Texas College. (Photo by Cindy Roller)

There still tickets available for the Nocona Chamber of Commerce “In Full Bloom” banquet on April 15 in the H.J. Justin Community Room.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call 940-825-3526 to reserve ticket.
Chamber members have been invited to decorate the tables based on the theme or to promote their businesses. A best decorated award will be presented. The meal will be served by the award winning Nocona barbecue cooking team.
Top awards to be presented that night include Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Volunteer Organization of the Year.
Guest speaker will be Blake Crutsinger, Nocona Independent School District athletic director and head football coach.

Read more on this story in the weekend Bowie News.

Spring has sprung and it is time to nominate top yards from your neighborhood to be considered for The Bowie News Yard of the Month.
The first award will be made for April and nominations may be submitted through April 26. The winner will be announced in the May 1 edition of The Bowie News.
Call the Bowie News office at 940-872-2247 or email it to [email protected]. Please include the address and name of the resident if you know it or a contact phone number for the nominee.
Sponsored by The Bowie News and Beautify Our Bowie, the contest winner gets to show off the brightly colored Yard of the Month sign in their yard during the month. A winner will be named for April, May and June.
The names of nominees may be submitted more than once throughout the contest if they are not a winner. Winners from last season will not be considered to allow for others to have an opportunity to participate.
A group of experienced gardeners volunteer their time to visit all the nominees and select a winner.
This contest will recognize a beautiful yard which is not necessarily the most fancy or elaborate, but one that shows care and upkeep in their neighborhood. The goal is to encourage all Bowie residents to keep their properties clean and looking nice for everyone to enjoy.
Criteria for judging will include ongoing maintenance of the yard and landscaping. The yard needs to be clean and free of trash, junk or other unsightly objects. Grass and shrubs need to maintained at reasonable levels.
Landscaping also will be considered, but are encouraged to include not only annuals for the season, but permanent items such as shrubs, vines or hardscape, as well as decorative structures like a gazebo or benches