COUNTY LIFE
Local athlete prepares to take on the world
Three years ago, Bowie’s Janaé Jones had never played rink hockey. Next month, she’ll represent her home country as part of Team U.S.A. at the 2014 Rink Hockey Ladies World Championship in Tourcoing, France.
The 15-year-old daughter of John and Dara Jones, Janaé was introduced to the sport by her friends. She was invited to go skating and grew to enjoy the activity. Eventually she was asked to play hockey with them.
“Janaé and her sister were rink kids,” said Dara, noting the family lives about a mile from Pop’s Skateland in Bowie. “They spent a lot of time there before it closed. She even worked there for a while.”
Janaé, Jasmine, 12, and their younger brother John, six, better known as Bubba, all took to the floor to learn the game. Janaé began to play for Pop’s in-house and travel team. As her skills grew, so did her affection for a sport few are familiar with in the U.S.
Rink hockey, also referred to as roller hockey and hardball hockey, is played with four floor players and one goalie. Aside from the goalie, minimal equipment is worn by players. The objective is to score by putting the ball into the opponent’s goal, using a stick.
In the U.S., the sport is governed by the United States Association of Roller Sports (USARS). Despite resembling ice hockey, contact between players is comparable to basketball. Those familiar with the game say it more closely resembles soccer than ice hockey.
Of the four players on the floor, two play offense, while two are on defense. Janaé is a defensive player.
“When I started, I focused on defense. I knew nothing of the sport and defense came most naturally,” she said. “My coach, Frank Tillery, taught me from the ground up and helped set the foundation for the player I am becoming today. He supported me and encouraged me every step of the way. If ever I needed anything, he was there. To this day, I still play with his old, well loved gloves, knee pads and stick that he handed down to me.”
Tillery still services, tweaks and builds all of the Jones family’s skates and he still supports the kids in anyway he is able.
“When’s Pop’s Skateland closed in October 2013, everyone was sad, skating as the Jones kids knew it, was over. The Bowie hockey players merged with the hockey club at Decatur Skate,” Dara recalled. “After the merge, we realized we were joining a very experienced club and would have the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the sport.”
Read the full story in the Sept. 6 edition of the Bowie News.
National Weather Service Fort Worth report: We’re closing down the work week with another round of HOT and DRY weather. Much of the area will see an elevated fire weather threat again today! A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 pm this evening. More heat headlines likely this weekend and early next week
It’s time once again for the Montague County Cemetery Board Fish Fry.
The fish fry will begin serving at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 at the Forestburg Community Center. The price is $10 per person for all you can eat, and child’s plate for 12 and under is $5. Take-out is also available.
The meal will consist of locally caught crappie and catfish, French fries, beans, hushpuppies, coleslaw and all the trimmings and homemade desserts.
The main purpose of the Montague County Cemetery Board is to look after the county’s abandoned cemeteries. The county has between 50 and 60 abandoned cemeteries. Cleaning a cemetery typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000. Any help is greatly appreciated. Help can be monetary, but it can also be as simple as reporting a suspected lost cemetery, allowing access to the cemetery, or spending a day alongside others cleaning. Volunteers are always welcome.
Another goal of the Cemetery Board is to obtain Historical Status from the Texas Historical Commission for the abandoned cemeteries. This status records the cemetery with both the county and state. It helps to protect them for years to come.
Leadership Montague County is now accepting applications for its upcoming class. Deadline to submit an application is Sept. 1.
Individuals who are interested in strengthening their leadership skills, expanding their knowledge of Montague County and building lasting professional and community relationships are encouraged to apply.
The program is a nine-month leadership development program consisting of nine, one-day, monthly meetings. Participants will explore topics including local government, agriculture, education, healthcare, business and industry, public safety, economic development and community leadership through interactive sessions and site visits. The group will be traveling to Austin in the spring to visit with the legislators and senators and to see how they work for the county residents.
Leadership Montague County is designed for emerging and established leaders who have a desire to become more involved in improving the quality of life throughout Montague County.
Class size is limited, and early application is encouraged. For additional information or to request an application, contact: Leadership Montague County, j-hansard@tamu.edu or call 940-894-2831
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