Mexia Chamber Winter 2023

Heart of the Texas Triangle

Aches and pains from aging or injuries can impair your ability to move and take the fun out of everyday activities. For one in four Americans, this can negatively affect health, family, work and social life.

That’s why we’re here.

The Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team at Parkview Regional Hospital treats conditions of the joints, ligaments, tendons, bones and muscles that can cause pain and limit your ability to do the things you want to do. And, we don’t stop there. Our rehab team of physical and occupational therapists will help speed your recovery and return to action.

Take an assessment at parkviewregional.com/orthopedics or call 254.562.2069 to find out how we help alleviate pain, increase mobility and range of motion, and get you back to living your life to its fullest.

A letter from your executive Director

Happy New Year!

It has been a wonderful time celebrating the sights and lights of Mexia during the holiday season. Storefronts were beautifully decorated, the Christmas tree and new lights provided by the City of Mexia were beautiful and we’ve seen so many beautiful pictures of people enjoying them. We moved the parade back to Saturday morning as was the tradition of past years, and we also enjoyed another Merry Christmas Market. The Mexia State Supported Living Center Parade of Lights was another continued tradition in Mexia. We hope you enjoyed it all, as well has much needed time enjoying the joy of the season with your family and friends.

As we look to this new year, it is so hard to believe it is 2023! The Chamber has new goals for the new year, some added events, expanding on some of the events that were added in 2022, and we’ll continue to focus on growth and development of our Chamber, business

community, and our entire community.

Back by popular demand will be our Social Media Marketing classes, which return in January. Tentatively scheduled for the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9AM at the Chamber office. Open to all – you do not need to be a member to attend. Classes are provided by Uplight Digital Marketing Agency.

Have you heard we’re bringing back the Golf Tournament?! April 15, 2023, at Tri-County Golf. Please contact us for more information and details, sponsorship opportunities, as well as team registration. We hope to see you at that event, as well as many of our other events throughout the year!

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information as well as our website at www. mexiachamber.com for all the latest information and happenings.

We wish you a very successful 2023 and look forward to seeing a continuously growing sense of community in the Mexia area!

Sincerely,

Traci LaFoy

Executive Director Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 352 • 214 N. Sherman, Suite 2 Mexia, TX 76667 • 254-562-5569 director@mexiachamber.com www.mexiachamber.com

This Magazine is a publication of The Mexia News in conjunction with the Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce. All rights Reserved. For advertising info. call 254-562-2868.

PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR: Richard Nelson ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Jennifer Bynum

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jennifer Paul FRONT COVER PHOTO: Swarco Reflux/ Katecey Harrell photo

CHAMBER AMBASSADORS AT WORK

FOLLOW @MEXIACHAMBER ON FB FOR UP-TO-DATE EVENT INFO AND MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS, ETC.

Representatives from SWARCO headquarters in Austria; Traci LaFoy, Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Elisabeth Swarovski, wife of the late founder Manfred Swarovski; and their son, Manfred Swarovski Jr.; and others stood for a photo as Chief Executive Officer Michael Schuch cut the ceremonial ribbon at the reopening event Nov. 15.

Jody Berry, a certified independent Scentsy consultant, cut the ceremonial ribbon at an event welcoming her business to the Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 7.

Ron Capehart, Mexia Public School Museum President, cuts a ceremonial red ribbon Nov. 3. The ribbon signifies the museum, which is located on the second floor of the Mexia Independent School District Administration building, joining the Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce.

2022 Christmas Storefront Decoration Contest Winners

The winners in the 2022 Mexia Storefront Decoration Contest were: first place, Sassy Sisters, 107 N. Sherman; second place, Small Town Tees, 207 E. Main; third place, Jackson’s True Value, 407 E. Commerce.

Winners won an advertising banner ad on the chamber website; first place received three months, second place received two months, and third received one month.

“We would like to thank all the businesses who entered the contest, as well as the ones who decorated, but didn’t enter. Mexia looked absolutely beautiful for the holidays! We are so pleased with the participation and the positive community feedback. It was wonderful, both day and night, to drive through all areas of Mexia and see the décor on the businesses and in the yards of the homes, as well as the Mexia State Supported Living Center Parade of Lights! The decorations being as beautiful as they were made it a challenging decision for our judges as to narrowing down the top three. We certainly want to thank our judges for their time and discernment in making winner selections.”

‘We created the skyline of Mexia’ Swarco Reflux celebrates reopening

By Katecey Harrell news@themexianews.com

Swarco Reflux in Mexia celebrated its reopening in November 2022 after a facilities expansion.

“We created the skyline of Mexia,” General Manager David Beshirs said.

According to its website, Swarco Reflux makes and sells reflective glass beads for road markings and blasting beads for surface finishing applications for customers throughout the U.S., Mexico and Latin America.

In 1994, Swarco America took over a small glass bead plant in Mexia, which has grown to become a Swarco flagship production plant, servicing the U.S. traffic and industrial bead markets, said Jon Sproul, vice president of Region America.

The company invested in the Megalux-Beads facility in 1999, Sproul said.

“Twenty-three years later, we are celebrating the reopening of the largest big bead facility in North and South America,” he said.

Megalux-Beads are precision glass products that achieve optimal retroreflection readings for all road marking materials, according to the company website.

“We’re proud of what you’re going to see today,” Beshirs said during the reopening ceremony. “It took a lot of effort from many people.”

The new expansion is 106 feet wide, and the roof was raised from 30 feet to 65 feet, Beshirs said. “We had to have built special lifting mechanisms and steel to raise the

trusses to span this building,” he said. “These had to be raised in a single lift. We hoped the wind wouldn’t get very high when we did this.”

Next to the building is a new batch house with a 20foot deep basement, he said. The steel weight for the batch house started at 215 tons and ended at 430 tons.

“We also have a lot of automation. So that we can consistently make our batches,” Beshirs said.

He said about 110 piers, roughly 30 inches in diameter and 24 feet deep, were installed to support the extra weight. The concrete for the basement, floors and roof is 30 inches thick. It has reinforced steel and tensile strength of 60,000 pounds per square inch.

There are safeties interlocked throughout the system, and they can consistently monitor the melter, but also what’s happening with all of the settings, Beshirs said.

“Because of the increased production, we had to increase our cold end, which is our finished end. We had to put in bigger bins to accept all the extra production,” Beshirs said.

He said that the automated systems in this area ensure employees aren’t using ladders. An employee can tell the computerized system which bin to put material in.

“They can consistently blend to our customer specifications and produce a good quality, as a matter of fact, best quality in the industry,” he said.

The front sign of Swarco Reflux, LLC

Mexia Mayor Geary Smith speaking at the Swarco Reflux reopening event Nov. 15.

Swarco also put in a 3,000 kVa generator and an additional emergency generator to ensure everything runs consistently.

“If something happens that we lose power, within five seconds… the generator automatically comes on,” he said. “In the past, we had an emergency generator that would protect the integrity of the melter. This generator protects it, but it also keeps us running at full capacity.”

Beshirs said Swarco wants to continue to grow with the city for decades into the future.

Sproul shared some facts about Swarco that people might not realize.

“Since we’re in Texas, and everything is bigger, I wanted to share a few fun facts about Swarco and glass beads,” Sproul said.

Approximately 1.4 million tons of recycled glass was consumed to make glass beads for highway safety versus ending up in landfills.

Production annually makes enough glass beads to stripe 700,000 miles of Texas roadways. Texas has 313,000 miles of public roads, the largest roadway system in the country, he said. If all those roads were two lanes and striped on the edge lines and the center lines, that would

require 100,000 tons of glass beads annually.

In Mexia, Swarco produces approximately 39 billion beads per hour.

“Our employees, our products and our customers work to save lives on the roadways throughout the world. Our customers and their employees risk their lives every day working on America’s roads, installing pavement markings, so we can all have reliable and safe guidance while driving day or night,” he said.

Swarco founder Manfred Swarovski had the vision to build the first direct melt glass bead factory in Texas about 25 years ago, said Carl McCollum, vice president and chief financial officer of Swarco America.

“The building belonged to a food distribution company and had been empty for many years,” McCollum said. “Most people walking by would not have taken a second look or a second glance at this building.

It looks nothing like it did in 1999, Beshirs said.

“Swarco is a skyline in Mexia. Every time I go over the overpass and look to my right or left, I can see the building standing tall,” Mayor Geary Smith said. “Every time I look at Swarco I know Mexia is thriving, regrowing and as mayor, I know it has my full support.”

Carl McCollum, vice president and chief financial officer of Swarco America; Mexia Mayor Geary Smith; General Manager David Beshirs; Traci LaFoy, Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Jeff Looney, Mexia Economic Development Corporation interim executive director; David Burgeson Renaissance Systems, Inc. CEO; and Manfred Swarovski Jr. stand for a photograph following the reopening event Nov. 15.

Katecey Harrell photos/The Mexia News

Swarco Reflux Division Team 20 stood for a photo during the reopening event Nov. 15.

Speakers extended gratitude to the entire Swarco Reflex team and all its employees for their hard work and dedication over the years.

Mexia Christmas Parade winners

Parade entries were judged on theme, creativity, decoration, participation, and signage. We had amazing entries into the parade this year! Not all entries took the theme into consideration when planning their entry and that’s okay, we appreciate the expressions of creativity and Christmas spirit. Our judges had a hard time this year and that’s great - it means we had excellent participation and entries! Everyone is a winner, but only 3 were named. We appreciate everyone who took time to enter and decorate their floats, vehicles, horses, and more! The Christmas parade was certainly a fun time in Mexia Downtown on Saturday morning and we look forward to next year. Special thank you to MPD, MFD, Limestone County SO, Constables, Groesbeck PD, and others from Groesbeck and the community who helped with traffic control. Special thank you for Jones Funeral Services for sponsoring the parade, and Dick Scott Ford for sponsoring Mr. & Mrs. Mistletoe. Sharon and Alden Garber were Mr. & Mrs. Mistletoe.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

AGRICULTURE

Allen and Shivers Excavation 4546 N. Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6252

Cedar Isle Ranch 1178 LCR 198 Coolidge TX 76635

Circle H Ag Services P O box 152 Tehuacana TX 76686 254-747-0394

Fleming Land Services 192 LCR 435 Mexia, TX 76667 254-716-6229

Force Logistics, LLC 1000 FM 3119 Mexia, TX 76667 254-424-1950 www.FORCELOGISTICSLLC.com

Golden Roots Trees LLC

Dollar in the Hole Ranch 1098 FM 2838 Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-9877

Lightsey Farms 2033 FM 1365 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6913

Rockin’ L Ranch 883 LCR 198 Coolidge TX 76635 254-562-7324

AUTOMOTIVE

2W Solutions, LLC 319 Martin Luther King JR. Hwy Mexia TX 76667 254-237-1329

Alan’s Tire and Service 819 W. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9399

Bonham Street Carwash, LLC 506 N. Bonham Mexia, TX 76667

Boyd’s 254 Transportation 1230 N. MLK Hwy Mexia, TX 76667

Cain’s Car Wash 511 North Bailey Mexia TX 76667 254-562-9533

Classic Paint and Body 802 S McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9360

Day Boys Shop 1402 Hwy 84 West Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-0000

Dick Scott Ford 401 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3864

E & A Tires 909 E. Milam Mexia TX 76667 254-355-3006

Mike Terry Auto Group 1100 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2846

Triple L Tire 900 S. Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2070

BAKERY

Jerri’s Cakes & Treats 810 LCR 463 Mexia TX 76667 254-366-7607

CHURCHES

Calvary Baptist Church 519 S. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2269

Covenant Life Fellowship 515 S. Canton Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6636

First Baptist Church 500 E. Carthage Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5576

Fist United Methodist Church 203 N Canton Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5567

Iglesia Pentecostal Camino Church 111 E. Palestine Mexia, TX 76667 254-424-7191

Mexia First Assembly 1100 N. Ross Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9216

One Church 304 E. Commerce Mexia TX 76667 972-693-2029

CIVIC GROUPS

Epic Women Survival, LLC 398 LCR 194 Coolidge, TX 76635 214-448-1581

VFW Lancaser Post 4694 317 S MLK/Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9270

Mexia Lions Club 201. N. Paris Mexia, TX 76667 Meets Tuesdays at Noon

Limestone County Child Welfare Board Groesbeck, TX 254-447-0291 Facebook: Limestone County Child Welfare Board

Mexia Public School Museum & Alumni Association 616 N. Red River P.O. Box 1044 Mexia TX 76667 254-562-4000 https://www.mexiaisd.net/page/ mexia-public-schools-museum-and-alumni-association

COMMUNICATIONS

AT&T Prime 1324 E. Milam Mexia TX 76667 254-562-6850

Gibbs Mexia Library 305 E. Rusk Mexia TX 76667 254-562-3231

KNES Radio – Texas 99 627 W. Commerce Fairfield, TX 903-389-5637

The Mexia News 214 N. Railroad St Mexia TX 76667 254-562-2868

Uplight Digital Marketing Agency Dew, TX 903-915-2961 www.uplightdigital.com

Vyve Communications 514 W. Tyler Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2872

COMPUTER SERVICES

McKeand Consulting, LLC 6565 FM 39N Mexia TX 76667 254-472-9997

Renaissance Systems, Inc 107 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-230-4144 www.rsitex.com

Utilize IT 1220 Hinchliffe Rd Mexia, TX 76667 254-218-5408

DISTRIBUTORS

Halo Branded Solutions 103 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6950

Flatt Stationers 205 N. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5123

EDUCATION

Mexia ISD 616 N. Red River Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-4042

Navarro College 901 North MLK/Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3848

ENERGY

Brown Oil and Gas 901 S. Belknap Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2818

Green Mountain Energy - NRG 2745 Dallas Parkway, Ste 200 Plano, TX 75093 www.greenmountainenergy.com 713-817-3592

Nelson Propane 1442 North MLK/Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3825

Oncor Electric Delivery 220 W. Walnut Hillsboro, TX 76645

EVENT CENTER

J.I. Riddle Building 307 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 903-390-8392

The Cowboy Western Club 400 S. Hwy 14 Mexia TX 76667 254-562-7373

Tranquilo Ranch 233 LCR 406 Groesbeck, TX 76642 972-754-8124

FINANCIAL

Beene Wealth Management Group 400 Austin Ave, Ste 200 Waco, TX 76703 254-755-6575

Brandon Fleming CPA, LLC 400 N. McKinney Mexia TX 76667 254-562-3460

Centex Citizen Credit Union 1404 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9296

Citizen’s State Bank 722 Main Teague, TX 75860 254-739-0500

Citizen’s State Bank 409 S. Ellis Groesbeck, TX 76642 254-729-3054

Edward Jones Investments 505 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5323

Farmers State Bank 604 W. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9494

Incommons Bank 301 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3821

Security Finance 203 E. Milam Mexia TX 76667 254-562-3933 www.security-finance.com

True Value Advisors 408 Club Lake Rd Teague TX 76667 Truevalueadvisors.com 832-457-5582

VeraBank 405 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5396 www.verabank.com

FOOD TRUCK

Bubbly Like Champagne

Mobile Bartending 862 LCR 377 Mexia TX 7667 903-388-6098 www.bubblylikechampagne.com

Karsan’s Kona Ice P O Box 215 Buffalo, TX 75831 903-388-6649

Z-Man’s BBQ Groesbeck TX 703-346-3653

GOVERNMENT

Limestone County Sherriff’s Office Murray Agnew Groesbeck, TX 76642

Mexia EDC 214 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-7900 www.mexiaedc.com

Mexia SSLC Volunteer Council P O Box 1132 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-1300

Voices for children, CASA of Brazos County 115 N. Main Bryan, TX 77803 979-822-9700

City of Mexia 101 S. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-4131

HEALTH AND BEAUTY Barefoot Therapy 202 E. Commerce Mexia TX 76667 903-915-9319 www.barefoottherapy.us

FIO Body Sculpting 318 E. Main St. Mexia TX 76667 254-203-2002

Sassy Sisters Boutique, Salon & Spa 107 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2222

Serenity Spa/Madison’s Loft 508 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0820

The Shave Cave 101 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5001

INSURANCE Jackson’s Insurance Plus 404 E. Yeagua Groesbeck, TX 76642 254-729-3940

Mexia Insurance 811 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3894

ReMax Premier Properties/ Womack Insurance 205 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2884

Taylor Rocheleau

Financial Services Professional Agent, New York Life Ins. Co. Registered Rep offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency 2600 Network Blvd #1380 Frisco, TX 75034 972-377-5237 254-747-3247

Texas Farm Bureau – Mexia 202 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-7300 210-259-3468 www.txfb.com

Tony Adkins

Specialty Rent Insurance Agency 117 E. Commerce Ste 103 Fairfield, TX 75840 903-389-7788

LODGING AND TRAVEL

Best Western Limestone Inn & Suites 1314 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0200

Comfort Inn 820 W Milam St. Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0005

Tranquilo Ranch 233 LCR 406 Groesbeck, TX 76642 972-754-8124

Forrest Place B & B 500 E Palestine Mexia, TX 76667 254-640-0055

Old Fort Parker Historic Site 866 Park Road 35 Groesbeck, TX 76642 254-729-5253

Fort Parker State Park 3147 N. Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5751

MANUFACTURING

Carry-On Trailer 931 Industrial Blvd Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9024

Rogers Manufacturing 911 Industrial Blvd Mexia, TX 254-255-0696

Swarco Reflex Inc. 900 N. Denton Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9879

Medical and Dental Cen-Tex ARC Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2891

Community Healthcare of Texas/Providence Hospice 312 S. Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-0779

Gonzalez Family Dentistry 300 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5347

Interim Health Care 2420 Wycon Drive Waco TX 76712 254-741-6570

Manor Health Care Residence 831 Tehuacana Highway Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3867

Mexia Chiropractic 722 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2112

Mexia LTC 601 N. Terrace Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5400

Mexia Vision Services 501 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3883

Parkview Regional Hospital 600 S. Bonham Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5332

Skilled Care of Mexia 501 E. Sumpter Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-0630

Tejas Urgent Care

311 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2500

Texas Home Health Group 8300 Central Park Drive, Ste A Waco, TX 254-755-6179

Tom W. Fox Jr. DDS 110 N. Bonham Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2881

PET SERVICES

Bennett Veterinary Hospital 1338 Hwy 171 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6533

Pawz & Clawz 1111 W Hwy 171 Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5122

Shaggy Chic 103 E. Main Mexia, TX 76667 254-722-7465

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo Trappings 115 E Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-7427

PROFESSIONAL

Amy Ward, Attorney 209 E. Palestine Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0700

Hughes Dillard 100 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6950

Law Office of Daniel Burkeen 304 E. Commerce, Ste 600 Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5002

Melinda Gentry 514 Willow Drive Mexia, TX 76667 325-656-1648

Reed and Reed, LLC 201 N. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5547

REAL ESTATE

Forrest Real Estate 205 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2884

Heritage Real Estate 205 N. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-7899

Hometown Realty 811 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3893

Micah Renovato, Realtor HOM Realty 1716 Briarcrest Drive, #860 Bryan, TX 77802 254-721-7909

Rachel Anderson Real Estate 413 Main St. Teague TX 75860 254-739-2942 www.rachelandersonrealestate.com

Realty Plus 1006 E Milam St Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2121

Story Real Estate 714 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6617

Old Fort Parker Historic Site 866 Park Road 35 Groesbeck, TX 76642 254-729-5253

The Trinity Institute Westminster Ave Tehuacana, TX 76686 254-395-4444

Fort Parker State Park 3147 N. Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5751

Hughes City Park Bonham and Tyler St Mexia, TX 76667

RESTAURANT & BARS

Coffee Cabaret 602 N. Paris Mexia, TX 254-562-5655

Countryside Café 500 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5070

Farm House Restaurant 1401 E. Milam Street Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-0512

Jim’s Krispy Chicken 312 E Milam St. Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5035

Joe Friday’s Diner 601 N Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5105

McDonald’s of Mexia 903 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5035

Tacos Jalisco 301 E. Palestine Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5155

RECREATIONAL

Freestone Raceway Park 147 PR 994 Wortham TX 713-962-3386

The Falcon Club 703 N. MLK Jr. Hwy Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6644

RETAIL/SHOPPING

Big Baby Bling Boss, LLC 309 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 903-390-6121

Bi-Stone Building Supply George Fitch Signs 910 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9341

Blackcat Couture/Mexia Florist 200 E Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5555

Clancy & Co/ Old Tin Roof Shoppes 1326 E. Palestine Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0667

Daisy Doo’s Unique Boutique 109 N. McKinney Mexia TX 76667

Flatt Stationers 205 N. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3843

Glamour in the Glades 344 LCR 466 Mexia, TX 76667 254-625-0995

H-E-B 701 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5123

Higginbotham Brothers –Ace Hardware 1001 E. Milam, Suite A Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-4000

Jackson’s True Value 407 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3112

Jody Berry – Scentsy Mexia TX 76667 254-645-0546 254-562-6793 http://jodyberry.scentsy.us

Junkin Jo’s Antiuqes & Boutiques 325 E Loop 255 Teague, TX 75860 903-644-0877

Kera’s Corner 101 E. Main Mexia, TX 76667 903-388--3992

Manning Enterprises Mexia TX 76667 832-202-8909

Merle Norman 309 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2582

Old Tin Barn 1339 E Milam St. Mexia, TX 76667 903-390-0608

Rusty’s Boot & Jeans 1349 E. Milam Mexia TX 76667 254-562-7767

Sandcastle Seasonings 104 N. Railroad St Groesbeck TX 76642 207-602-8556 Sandcastleseasonings.com

Sassy Sisters Boutique, Salon and Spa 107 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2222

Serenity Spa/Madison’s Loft 508 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0820

Shabby Bling 108 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 903-390-9316

Small Town Tees 207 E Main Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6966

Southern Grace 501 S. Ellis Groesbeck, TX 76642 254-729-2703

Stage It Out, LLC 1748 W. US 84 Mexia TX 76667 817-559-2388 Rhonda@stageitout.com www.stageitout.com

The General Store 200 E. Rusk Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-0893

The Shave Cave 101 N. Sherman Mexia, TX 76667 254-472-5001

WalMart 1406 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3831

Weekend Thrift 210 E. Commerce Mexia TX 76667 254-307-1218

Woodson’s Lumber & Hardware 1127 E Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9351

SERVICES

Armor Plumbing Mexia TX 903-626-4444 Armor-plumbing.com

Blair Stubbs Funeral Home 605 S. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2131

Corley Porter Funeral Home 208 N Canton Mexia TX 76667 254-562-2887

George Fitch Signs 910 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-9341

Jones Funeral Service 931 S Hwy 171 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6422

Mexia Foundation 672 FM 1633 Mexia, TX 76667 254-981-3742

Mexia Pest Control 608 E. Milam Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-6565

Pearly Gates Funeral Home 104 E. Commerce Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-2212 www.pearlygatesfh.com

STORAGE

Ideal Self Storage 246 N. MLK Jr. Hwy Mexia, TX 76667 254-315-3565

Quality Storage 1604-B N. MLK/Hwy 14 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-0130

Sumpter Street Storage 1008 Sumpter Street Mexia, TX 76667 254-625-3364

UTILITIES

Atmos Energy 6464 Hwy 19 South Athens, TX 75751 888-286-6700

Bi-stone Municipal Water Supply 343 LCR Whiterock Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-5922

Republic Services 3054 LCR 460 Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-3889

City of Mexia Water Dept 101 S. McKinney Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-4131

www.mexiachamber.com

Influenza claims 60,000 lives per year, so you might want to consider the “flu shot” vaccine. The flu will be around until April. The big killer right now is Fentanyl, the super opioid. In 2021, 107,529 lives were lost due to the use, whether legal or illegal, of Fentanyl. We are on track to break the record here in 2022. Supposedly 70% of street drugs have a “touch” of Fentanyl. For reference, the Government data shows that deaths from motor vehicle accidents were 42,000 in 2021; deaths from firearms were 48,953 in 2021, and from COVID thus far has been 1.09 million in the U.S. and 7 million worldwide. We have had more drug-related overdose deaths than COVID deaths this year. Under no circumstances should you buy or take even half a tablet from a street dealer. Fentanyl is so popular in sales and overdoses that there has been a huge vending business selling Narcan, the drug that reverses opioid toxicity. A vending machine for overdoses.......what do you say to that?

Cordially, Dr. Jerry W. Simmons

Freestone & Limestone Counties New CASA Program Needs Volunteers!

Thirty-three children in Limestone Counties and thirteen in Freestone Counties are currently in the care of the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) or Child Protective Services (CPS). These children, who have been removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse or neglect, need advocates who will speak up for them and make certain they are safe and well.

“That’s where a CASA, a Court Appointed Special Advocate, can make a real difference,” said Taylor Rocheleau, Treasurer of the newly formed CASA of Freestone & Limestone Counties. Volunteers are at the heart of every CASA program. These are the individuals willingly donating their time to speak up for the children who need them the most.

A CASA volunteer receives ongoing professional development and develops an expansive skill set in

dealing with the legal, child welfare, and education systems. “Becoming an advocate is not only a lifechanging experience, but also a resume builder,” said Linda Timmerman, Interim Executive Director of the program. “For those who may be new to the workforce, or returning after an absence, being a CASA has a lot of professional appeal; for those who may seek a career in social services, law, or child development, there is no better training ground,” she stated. Of course, it’s the perfect volunteer role for a retiree,” she added.

Beginning in May 2019, Voices for Children Brazos, Inc., the CASA program in Bryan, TX, started serving the Freestone and Limestone area together with five other area counties. During the three and a half years the program was under VFC, an average of 67 children were served annually in the Bi-Stone area and approximately 12 volunteers were trained. In the

Our roots are right here in this area. We are local. Many of us were born and raised in the communities where we serve. We make our decisions right here at the bank.

Spring of 2022, Voices for Children met with three of those volunteers, the late Cynthia Gage, Liz McDaniel, and Linda Timmerman, and proposed that Freestone and Limestone Counties was ready for its own standalone program.

With the support of Voices for Children, Cynthia, Liz, and Linda started the process of putting together a Steering Committee to guide the creation of CASA of Freestone & Limestone Counties. “The support, enthusiasm, and dedication of communities and individuals within the Bi-Stone area has been overwhelming,” said Timmerman. “To the surprise of the Texas CASA and the National CASA organizations, we were able to accomplish all of the legal filings and seat a Board of Directors within the span of 3 months –a process that typically takes a year,” she added.

The Board President is Tony Adkins of Fairfield; Kelley Toney of Wortham is 1st VP, Wayne Williams of Teague is 2nd VP, Taylor Rocheleau of Mexia is Treasurer, and Christina Mims of Teague is Secretary of the Board. Other Board members are Erica Carroll of Mexia, Olivia Hays of Teague, and Spring Johnson of Wortham.

The new program has trained three new volunteers, and a second and third training session is planned for December and January. “We need 20-25 trained volunteers to handle the volume of cases in our two counties,” said Board President Adkins. A volunteer typically serves on one case for approximately 12 months. Training consists of 14 hours of in-person and 16 hours of online instruction. Adkins, who served as a volunteer with Voices for Children, remarked that the training is comprehensive and CASAs are supported on their cases by staff. “It’s a rewarding and humbling experience to serve as a CASA and either reunify a family or find a permanent adoptive family for a child or a sibling set,” he said.

There are other rolls for individuals within the new program as well. “Some people are really better suited for auxiliary roles—not the monthly commitment of visiting a child and writing a report, or the intensity of speaking to the court,” said Timmerman. “And we have many opportunities from helping out in the office, to fundraising, to planning and executing special events,” said Rocheleau.

For additional information, or to volunteer to help with CASA of Freestone & Limestone Counties, visit the Texas CASA website (www.TexasCASA.org) or contact Linda Timmerman at 903-654-8249 or casabistone@gmail.com.

Development Talk

Wow! It is great to be back in the area where people know you and smile most of the time. I want to thank the Economic Development Corportaion and City Council for allowing me to be your Interim Executive Director for the EDC. Many of you may not know but Mexia has always been good to me and kind of sort of raised me a bit.

At 16 years of age, I went to work for Brookshires and filled two summers bottling Coke a Cola at the Mexia plant with Mr. Hollie and Mr. Dancer, that was good times and great people they were always glad to see me, and they worked hard. Many a 10-cent small glass bottle coke came out of that plant; I can still taste them. I worked for Mexia State

School and Outreach for 11 years and Mexia allowed me to be the City Judge from 1989 to 1993; I worked for DP Frost two summers while going to college too! I met a lot of folks during that time, and I hoped I earned the respect of everyone that I served.

I plan on earning your respect here at the EDC, there is so much potential to bring in business and create new jobs for our area. I will work with the EDC Board and the City Council to do what is best for Mexia, unity in economic development and city government is vital to getting businesses here. We need to be together, look sharp, have sustainable entertainment, tourism, good roads, and affordable housing. We can only do that if we work together and build each other up. Focusing on the past can only drag us down.

We are currently working on a couple of projects that were started before I came; they will bring some local jobs that will pay a fair wage. Some local projects are near completion and will benefit Mexia., I’m still trying to wrap myself around those projects.

Living in the area I knew about SWARCO being here, but I did not know that it was an international company! Just think a company that does business worldwide is in our city, that is a big, big thing. I met a lot of the people that work there, and everyone is proud of the work they are doing! Please celebrate the workers and the corporation for the investment in Mexia. I cannot tell you how valuable that it is. The owners came all the way from Austria to visit the plant and its improvements. I bet if we work hard, we can get additional related businesses to help them grow and provide more jobs for Mexia and the surrounding area.

Some folks have come in to visit, I welcome everyone, please note that I will go and visit each of our business here to let them know they are appreciated. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and probably many sleepless nights to run your own business. I’m thankful for everyone of them in Mexia, Texas. We have so much to be thankful for: A great State, awesome city, dedicated business, and good wholesome folks that live and work in Mexia. Let us do great things and in the process build each other up. I was always taught if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything, wise words but I would like to add that if you say anything say something that builds Mexia up, be positive word will get around that “what is up with the Mexia people, they are all so positive”. Good will creates good will and people want to be a part of something good.

to Serve, Jeff Looney

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