KCVB Recognition Dinner Speech, by Nancy Birkenfeld

Good Evening everyone. The City of Goree has had many ups and downs over the past year, and sometimes even what we see as a “down” turns into and “up”!! I stand before you tonight to tell you about some of these ups and downs.

Some of our major ups were:
· Overwhelming support by our citizens for implementing a 4A and 4B sales tax for economic development for the City of Goree.
· Cleanup days that truly “cleaned up” several eyesores around town and disposed of pesticides, paint, oil and other hazardous waste
· In that same vein, the Goree VFD assisted in the demolition of 3 abandoned structures
· The Goree Memorial Building received a fresh coat of paint and new laminate wood floors
· The Goree garage sale building was cleaned out and readied for a new purpose
· The second floor of the City building was cleaned out, new windows were installed and most important, the leaking roof was replaced.
· Two other old buildings were cleaned out and old tired worn out awnings were taken down
· Petitioned TXDOT for exit signs to Miller Creek Reservoir and received them
· Our Volunteers spent many hours cleaning up and manicuring our new overpass area for homecoming
· October homecoming was a success with many “ex’s” expressing interest in helping restore and improve Goree
· Two new businesses – “A Place to Stay and Trainham wild game processing were established
· We received approval for two Office of Rural Community Affairs grants – water system improvements and long range planning
· Approval for a USDA-RD grant to replace fire hydrants and a USDA-RD Grant and low interest loan to replace every water meter in the city
· Miller Creek Ranch was featured in the Dallas Morning News
· Going for Greatness in Goree (GGG) non-profit corp was approved by the IRS and featured in the Abilene Reporter News
· City of Goree website developed and blog implemented to keep all interested citizens and ex’s informed
· Being a part of the KCVG – the Real Rural Symposium, the job fair, and hosting KCVG monthly meetings.

A couple down’s were:
· Losing our Meals on Wheels program for our senior citizens
· Hearing about the possibility of Munday CISD closing the Goree campus and moving Jr High to Munday

And a down that might have a silver lining was Peek’s Service Station closing. The story about Peek’s being the last full service gas station in Goree was featured in the Abilene Reporter News, and on the internet, which led to an interested couple from New Mexico taking the time to come to Goree, explore, and purchase a home. They have also rented the old Peek’s service station with the idea of establishing a new business there.

Our goals for the future are lofty. We want to:
· Preserve our remaining historic buildings
· Continue working on electrical wiring and plumbing for our new City Lodge above the City office · Install New sidewalks and awnings
· Continue Water, sewer, and street improvements, especially continuing to lower our water loss ratio
· Further renovations to the Memorial Building
· Reopen the popular Goree Garage Sale as a “Junktique” resale shop.

All these achievements have been made possible through the inspiration of the KCVG and Remelle, in particular. I want to especially recognize Kent & Tammie Trainham who couldn’t be with us tonight, (they chose to leave today for a Carribean Cruise instead) their vision and dedication to improving the City of Goree is unwavering and truly an inspiration that motivates everyone to give of their time, their talent and their resources to improve life in the City of Goree and the surrounding area. Thank you.

Happy 90th Birthday...

back: David, Stephen

front: Philip, Elizabeth, John

Elizabeth Martin recently celebrated her 90th birthday with her four sons, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Elizabeth is a lovely lady that is in good health and still drives. There's no telling how many football games, banquets, and other events she's attended in Goree since her husband, Forrest, was a teacher, coach and principal at the Goree School for many years, and all her sons went to school in Goree. Forrest passed away in 2004. Elizabeth with son, John, and his wife attended the 2005 Goree Homecoming.

In Loving Memory~Verna Lee Rawlins

Verna Lee Rawlins, 79, died December 26, 2008 in Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday January 2, 2009 at Goree First Baptist Church in Goree, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at McCauley-Smith Funeral Home in Munday, Texas for family and friends.

Born March 30, 1929 in Goree, Texas. She worked in Munday First National Bank for 30 years. She was a member of Goree Methodist Church.

Survivors: Two nephews: Phil Johnson of Anson, Texas and his daughter Miranda Johnson of Haskell, Texas and David and Lisa Johnson of Eastland, Texas and children Sarah and Tod Gay and Hunter Gay of Eastland, Texas; One Niece: Laura Stovall of Knox City, Texas and her Children: Melissa and Anthony Sayers of Dayton, Ohio; Derek Stovall; Sean Stovall; Heather Stovall and Nicole Stovall, all of Knox City, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; One sister: Jessie Mae Johnson and one infant brother.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

A Productive Year in '08

Santa's in Goree?

Got a request from Jerry (Brooks) Massey (Goree Class of 1955) for someone that lives in the Goree Area who could take a picture of her parents' grave. She is now living in Houston so hopefully someone can send her a picture.

Her Mother and Dad are Leroy and Lucy Brooks.

If some of you can help, email Jerry for the general location of the grave sites...Keith

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Can you believe it-Goree has a Santa Claus?
I think his name is really Santa Jimmy Claus.

At 12/24/2008 2:47:42 AM Central Standard Time, I sent an email to my Goree Group Email List.

Jimmy Claus, while having his morning cup of coffee, checked his emails. He got up, poured himself another cup of coffee, put on his coat, picked up his camera, and started for the door. His family questioned where he was going so early on Christmas Eve morning in the cold. As he crawled into the old pickup truck, he told them that he had one more gift to get in order to help someone else far away have a brighter, more memorable, Christmas.

With a cold wind blowing, Jimmy Claus walked around in the Goree Cemetery looking for the particular place noted in my email. When he found it, he circled it several times taking pictures, trying to get the best angles.

My vision of Jimmy Claus when he got back in the warm pickup is, while taking a drink of the now cooling coffee, he said a short prayer for all those buried there and their still living families.

Before noon, Jimmy Claus was back in his warm home, had processed the pictures and had emailed them to Jerry in Houston. At 12/24/2008 1:07:46 PM Central Standard Time, Jimmy Claus forwarded me a copy of the pictures.

We can all be sure that Goree still has good people that go out of their way to help with happiness of others. It is still as it was when we lived there.

Thanks Santa Jimmy Claus, you did good!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.
Keith and Nancy

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Golly, there are a lot of Santas in the Goree area offering to help Jerry.

Let's all run down to Jerry's for New Years. She said we could stay with her (see forwarded email). We could have a big New Years party of Goree alumni. Unnn, on second thought, her husband Jimmy, and their daughter might throw us out, maybe better if we go one at a time.

Anyway, a big thank you, to all that offered to take pictures for Jerry.

Betcha there was surprise, excitement, and a few tears when Jerry opened the email from Santa Jimmy on Christmas Eve. Next, bet she called husband Jimmy and their daughter to see the pictures, maybe even called in the dog and cat too.

As my grandkids say, in the olden days, about sixty-five years ago, 1943, Jerry and I were in the first grade and believed in Santa Claus big time. Now we believe again because of Santa Jimmy. Jerry there is a Santa Claus, just this year his name is Santa Jimmy Claus.

Just passing on Jerry's email so you all know that all Goree people are being thought of this Holliday season. Keith

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HI SANTA'S HELPER,

YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I COULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED A BETTER PRESENT THAT WARMED MY HEART THAN THE PICTURES OF MY MOM AND DAD'S TOMBSTONE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ON TOP, I DID NOT HAVE A PICTURE OF MY MOM'S DATE OF DEATH ON IT EITHER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SANTA JIMMY, YOU HAVE KEPT THE BELIEF OF SANTA AND ALL HIS GOOD DEEDS ALIVE AND THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE FOR HAVING YOU.

THANKS TO ALL THE GOREE PEOPLE WHO EMAILED ME AND OFFERED TO GO AND TAKE PICTURES. IF ANY OF YOU EVERY NEED A PLACE TO STAY WHILE IN HOUSTON, PLEASE CALL ME.

YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE A PLACE OR THE PEOPLE UNTIL YOU LEAVE IT. THERE IS TRULY NO PLACE LIKE GOREE OR THE PEOPLE. GOD MADE A SPECIAL PLACE THERE.

GOD BLESS ALL AND LOVE TO YOU,

JERRY BROOKS MASSEY

Dimple Jetton dies at 100

(Obit from the Wichita Falls Times Record News)

Monday, December 8, 2008

GOREE, Texas — Dimple Jetton, 100, of Spearman died Friday, December 5, 2008, in Hansford Manor in Spearman, Texas.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at the Goree First Baptist Church with Genoa Goad officiating. Burial will be in the Goree Cemetery under the direction of McCauley-Smith Funeral Home in Munday, Texas.

Mrs. Jetton was born April 17, 1908. She celebrated her 100th birthday this year. She was a homemaker and a member of Goree First Baptist Church. She moved from Goree to Spearman in 1985. Dimple and Sam B. Jetton were married May 26, 1946, in Munday, Texas. Mr. Jetton died February 14, 1983.

Survivors: one daughter, Lynell Williams of Spearman, Texas; two grandchildren, Lynette Babcock of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Kevin Williams of Goodwill, Oklahoma; one great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Babcock of Mineral Wells, Texas; several nieces and nephews.

Click here: Dimple Jetton dies at 100 : Obituaries : Times Record News

A Lost Tradition...

Years ago when I was young!!! HAHA, the community used flowergirls at funerals. These girls were selected by the family of the deceased in the same way pall bearers were selected. Usually they got young teen girls. When Dimple's Mother-In-Law passed away the family wanted all 3 of us Brogden girls, even though I was too young. Our family was very close to the Jetton and Lambeth families. So the 3 of us and also my Aunt Avis Harris were selected. You carried a spray of the flowers and made a line on each side of the church door. They carried the casket through this line of flowers. Then sometimes the graveyard was just right by the church and the girls carried these flowers on to the cemetery. The last time I was a flower girl was at the funeral of our Pastor at Friendship Baptist at Hefner, when Bro. Jess Gray passed away. I remember most of the Haskin girls were, as well. It was a privilege to do this for the family. I remember Dimple quite well as a Peek and also after she married S.B. They visited in our home many times and we at theirs as well. Those were the good ole days when people had time for people. Keith, I want to tell you that we appreciate you keeping all of us informed. We get slack in saying thanks, but I personally want to thank you and hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas this year. Thanks again, Reba Brogden Mason

Back during those years the body of a deceased person was kept in the living room of the home until time for the funeral. All night and day there was someone, usually two, setting with the body. Some of you may be able to pick yourself out of the pictures (1951) below. Best I remember all the girls from the Goree High School were the Flower Girls. Reba may very well be in these pictures.