COUNTY LIFE
Wise Hope names new executive director
As in all great stories, as one chapter ends, another begins; so it is for Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center.
The Wise Hope board of directors is pleased to announce the selection of Janice Watkins as Wise Hope’s new executive director, effective Feb. 1, 2019.
Watkins is assuming the position following the retirement of Pat Slayton at the end of January.
Watkins is a resident of Decatur and graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a bachelor of science in family studies.
She began working with Wise Hope as a practicum student in August 2015 and joined the organization full-time in May 2016 as primary prevention specialist.
She also has served as volunteer coordinator for the past year.
In her position as primary prevention specialist she worked with school districts to present the Healthy Relationship curriculum to students from elementary through high school.
Watkins has worked alongside the organization’s senior leadership and with key stakeholders to provide continuity for Wise Hope’s domestic violence and sexual assault programs during the leadership transition.
Wise Hope’s Montague County office is located at 1123 Hwy 59 in Bowie.
The Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center 24-hour hotline can be reached at 940-531-4003. All contacts are confidential.
Musicians from around the area attended the New Year’s Eve jam for Jammin’ at the Justin. There was a variety of musicians and singers to entertain the big crowd, that also enjoyed lots of great good-luck foods served up by guests and the jam organizers. Along with the music groups played games and a few folks danced. (Photos by Barbara Green)
The new year opens with the first county-wide event this week, the 2025 Montague County Youth Fair, Jan. 8-11 at various locations.
It should be a strong show with 1,160 entries across all the categories and 333 students represented. Here is the basic schedule of activities.
Leadership Day
This year’s contests will be at the Montague County Cowboy Church.
Competition day starts with check-in between 7-8 a.m. for speaking events and the robotics contest. Categories will include junior and senior prepared speaking, plus junior and senior Montague County ag. advocacy speaking. Robotics contest also takes place that morning.
Contestants sign in for the skill-a-thons from 12:30 to 1 p.m., followed by the beef and horse skill-a-thons. Sign-in for the barbecue cooking contests is from 1-2:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 3 p.m. Judging follows at 4 p.m. Awards will be given to the top two individuals for each division of the contest.
Home economics
Home economics entries can be dropped off at the Nocona Community Center from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 7 and 7-9 a.m. on Jan. 8.
Judging will be from 10 a.m. to noon with results posted by 6 p.m. Public viewing is 8 a.m. to noon on Jan. 9. Home economics is a massive competition covering food, fabric and artworks.
Read the full schedule in your weekend Bowie News.
Top photo:A Nocona student works on a welding project for the 2025 youth fair. (Courtesy photo)
Gus Clark and the Least of his Problems Band entertained at the Bowie Community Center New Year’s Dance this past week. Guests enjoyed black-eyed peas, cornbread, dancing and music to welcome the year.
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