Madisonville’s Faith Farris won the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Senior Youth World Championship at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth Friday. Farris previously won the National High School Rodeo Association World Championship in Girls’ Cutting after winning both go rounds and the average at the Nationals event in Lincoln, Neb. earlier in July along with her horse, Big Shoes to Phil, or simply Phil. Faith is the daughter of Mitch and Tracy Farris.

The suspect in custody as a result of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office’s active human smuggling case is Nixon Ariel Villabbos, who was booked into custody at the Madison County Jail on July 23 on an aggravated kidnapping charge.

This week I learned something I didn’t know about red shirt Fridays. I always thought red-shirt Fridays was a way to show support for the Friday night Mustang Football games.

If you noticed the title change, let me explain. My Musings began over six years ago on behalf of the Museum but will henceforth continue for the Museum AND Madison County Historical Commission. The latter has several goals, including a new book of local history, Volume 3, and I feel like history is history, it’s hard for me to split.

As the month of July comes to an end and the Olympic games begin to heat up, I hope you are rooting for the red, white, and blue every step of the way. An athlete to keep an eye on is fellow East Texan, Mackenzie Brown, of Flint. As the lone East Texas Olympian, Mackenzie has advanced to the round of sixteen after wins in her first two individual archery matches against competitors from Germany and China. The two-time Olympian grew up bowhunting with her family, and she found a love for competition as a teenager. Here’s hoping Mackenzie will bring a medal back for the United States, and specifically those of us in East Texas.

Peggy George (Daily) Shirley; 88 years, 8 months, and 9 days of Madisonville, TX (formerly of Hughes Springs, TX); passed away on Tuesday; July 27, 2021 in Madisonville, TX. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday; August 3, 2021 at The First Baptist Church in Madisonville, TX with Bro. Matt Carey and Bro. Mark Trichel officiating. There will be a visitation prior to the service beginning at 9 a.m. and graveside services are scheduled for 5 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery at 5419 FM 161, Hughes Springs, TX with Bro. Charles Russell officiating.

Both the Madisonville and North Zulch volleyball teams will see action Friday with scrimmages to prepare for their upcoming regular seasons. (Pictured: Madisonville and North Zulch head volleyball coaches Kristen Hooten and Melissa Padgett) PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL ATKINS