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4 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group On the Cover Contents 8 EXPERIENCING THE RITZ Community life thrives at the Ritz Community Theatre. 16 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Keep Snyder Beautiful Fall Sweep 20 HOMETOWN BUNDLES Join us in welcoming Snyder’s newest residents. 22 HOMETOWN HAPPENING West Texas College Student Art Show 24 FOLLOWING THE CALL TO SERVE A calling from God brings a pastor home to lead. 32 HOMETOWN GRADUATES Well wishes and blessings to the class of 2025. 34 HOMETOWN HAPPENING White Buffalo Days 34 22 38 JOY BEYOND WORDS How one man’s joyful life and spirited soul has left an unforgettable legacy in the community. 48 LEADING WITH INTEGRITY Newly promoted Police Chief Mike Counts takes his decades of service to a new level. 52 HOMETOWN HAPPENING First Baptist Church Remodel 56 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Scurry County Golf Course Centennial Celebration 60 A SHELTER FROM THE STORM A local family violence program helps hundreds of people a year recover physically and emotionally so they can start anew. 38
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I Snyder Lifestyles Magazine© is published annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. WRITERS Sara Hook Sabrina Forse Becca Sankey Hannah Turner PHOTOGRAPHERS ASosa80’s Photography Brandyl Calley Photography Whitney Owen Designs “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22-24 Happy 2025 Snyder! Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Brooke Graham Marketing & Client Relations office@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design ON THE COVER Photo provided by Glenn Burns Becky Cross Sales Account Executive It’s hard to believe we are 25 years into a new century when it seems like the 90’s were just yesterday (and let’s not even talk about how old that makes me feel!). As the clichés say, time really does fly. I remember hearing that before I had children of my own and always thinking it was a thing people were obligated to say once they became parents. However, with my own family now, I fully realize that however cliché it may be, time doesn’t stop for anything, and every moment of our time here is special. No matter what last year looked like for you, whether it was the best year, worst year, or somewhere in between, my prayer is that 2025 brings you joy, happiness, health, resilience and unwavering faith. Snyder is a reflection of those values and as you flip through the pages of this issue, I hope you feel inspired by the incredible people and organizations who make this community so special. As much as I wish every one of you a year filled with health and happiness, I also hope you see a little piece of yourself in these pages. We always love hearing from you and want to feature you and the people that you know and love who make Snyder feel like home. Have a recipe? It could be our next Hometown Cooking feature. A newborn? Submit that sweet baby photo for our Bundles section. Do you have a graduating senior? Share their photo for our Hometown Graduates spread. Hosting or attending a local event? We would love to feature it as a Hometown Happening. Do you have a unique story? I can’t wait to hear it! Send me your ideas and photos to office@hometownmedia.group. Wishing you a joyful and blessed 2025, Brooke Graham Camela Dietrich Accounts Recievable accounting@hometownmedia.group 6 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
HOMETOWNREALESTATECO.COM | 325.573.8505 | 3600 COLLEGE AVENUE TEXAS Strong, HOMETOWN Proud! Deborah Boyd, Associate Broker Brodie Calley, Owner/Broker Carson Matthies Tammy Bruns Lovida Hamilton Cathy Weaver Melody Weaver Seairra Settle David Diaz Bianca Larrea Gary Hale Pam Alvarez
8 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY SARA HOOK | PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY GLENN BURNS Community life thrives at the Ritz Community Theatre RITZ Experiencing the
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10 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group DDrama, comedy, tears and laughter can all be regularly found in downtown Snyder at the Ritz, and at the heart of it all is community. This staple of Snyder began as the Cozy Theater in the early 1900’s, a place for the small town of Snyder to gather and watch movies. In the 1920’s it was bought, renovated, and renamed the Ritz, growing with Snyder during the oil boom and operating successfully for another 50 years. The good times didn’t last forever, the Ritz laid unused and dark throughout the 70s and 80s, but before long the community wanted their theater back. Renovation began in 1992, and the Ritz was transformed from a simple movie theater to a place for movies, live theater, and community functions. Now, 30 years after that renovation and 90 years from its original opening, the Ritz Community Theatre is still a hub of Snyder community life. The Ritz community is one that anyone can participate in, be it in the audience or on stage – and many long-time members got involved with just a simple audition. Treasurer Glenn Burns was one such member. He saw an advertisement for a production of Les Miserables and wanted to be involved, so he auditioned.
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12 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Ten years later, he is on the Board of Governors, an integral part of how the theater runs. Many others in the community began by watching their children in one of the Ritz’s many productions, classes, and camps, and ended up getting involved themselves. The theater began running those programs several years ago, and Burns said they have really helped the Ritz reach the community better. “We have a lot more involvement from the youth in the community, and we also have a lot more involvement from their parents; so we have several families that we’ve had the kids involved in theater, and then their parents have come out and auditioned to be in productions as well,” Burns said. “We kind of involved a good swath of the community through that program.” Other parents have become board members like Burns, or get involved at the Ritz in other ways – and there are many opportunities to be involved. The Ritz puts on about six shows a season, not including the programs for kids 2nd through
12th grade. Those programs run in the spring and fall, and each semester ends with a play or musical. Summer camps are similarly broken down into age groups, and each camp has a production at the end. The summer camps were run by another group in town before the Ritz took over, Burns said, but the spring and fall programs were begun by the Ritz itself. “We wanted to expand, we wanted to be able to offer some theater education to the community because we felt like the theater arts are important and there really wasn’t a group in town offering that type of education for students in those age groups,” Burns said. “We wanted to be able to offer that to the youth of the community.” Students learn theater techniques and develop their confidence and creativity, alongside many other life skills – and almost every show they put on is completely sold out. The adult productions, while less popular, are still well attended, and the many events held in the theater bring the learning and appreciation of the arts to everyone in Snyder. Because of that close connection, the Ritz has continued to grow as Snyder has grown– and the theater’s goals have grown as well. “As we find more groups that we can benefit, or more ways that we can help, we want to reach out,” Burns said. “We want to offer technical theaters for kids that might be more interested in that – they might not want to be on stage, but they might want 13 hometown living at its best
14 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group 14 snyder lifestyles magazine to help with lights or sound and that could help them in other areas too as the arts help reach out and expand their minds.” Part of that includes working on the Ritz’s third major renovation: changing the carpet and the marquee, repainting, and upgrading the lighting system. Those fundraising efforts, Burns said, have once again helped the Ritz connect to the community. Burns said, “We’ve reconnected with some people that helped us found the theater, and some of the people that helped us secure the theater 30 years and beyond.” After all, it’s the community that supports the arts, the community that supports the actors in every production, and the community that comes together to make Snyder great. The Ritz Community Theatre is simply a place where all of that good can happen. “We hope everybody feels welcome to come out and experience [the Ritz],” Burns said. “Come and audition, come and be a part of the show. Whether they have any experience at all or they have the most experience in the world, we need all the help we can get.” †
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HOMETOWN Happenings
17 hometown living at its best Photos by: Snyder Chamber of Commerce Several community members and organizations united to help clean up downtown Snyder in September. Volunteers collected litter, planted fresh flowers, repainted areas in need of touchups and made downtown sparkle and shine! The event was a huge success, thanks to individual volunteers, city employees, a collaboration between Snyder ISD and the City of Snyder, Snyder Chamber of Commerce and many more. Together, we can keep Snyder beautiful! Fall Sweep KEEP SNYDER BEAUTIFUL
PLAN A VISIT COFFEE IN THE COMMONS | 8:30AM BIBLE STUDY | 9:00A M WORSHIP & LIVESTREAM | 10:15AM fbcsnyder.org | 325.573.2631 | 1712 27th FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 18 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
Join us in welcoming Snyder's newest residents! Have your photographer share your sweet bundle with us for future issues, office@hometownmedia.group. BUNDLES OF 4 1 2 3 20 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
21 hometown living at its best 1. Parker | Parents: - Isiah & Rebekka Natividad 2. Elliott | Parents: Hunter & Lauran Cox 3. Rome | Parents: Isaiah Ruiz & Charlotte Highfield 4. Weston & Addisyn | Parents: Preston & Rachel Couch 5. Brazos | Parent: Sailor Fulton 6. Kopelyn | Parents: Jim and Kandyn Rodriguez Photos by Brandyl Calley Photography 6 5
HOMETOWN Happenings Photos provided by Western Texas College Western Texas College proudly hosted a student art show as part of last year’s White Buffalo Days celebration. Students were encouraged to showcase their creativity by submitting up to three pieces of artwork. The submissions were displayed throughout the event, with voting taking place from September 30 to October 5. The show featured many creative entries, highlighting the incredible talents within our community. WESTERN TEXAS COLLEGE The winners of the art contest are as follows: Art Show L-R: Leslie Hawkins, Rene Floyd, Michele White, Maci Guerrero, Nathalie Kelley (Western Texas College on the Square Art Instructor) 1st Place LESLIE HAWKINS 2nd Place RENE FLOYD 3rd Place MICHELE WHITE 1st Place Under 18 MACI GUERRERO
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24 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY SABRINA FORSE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ELIM ASSEMBLY OF GOD A calling from God brings a pastor home to lead. SERVE Following the call to
25 hometown living at its best JJesus gave his disciples a mission to spread the gospel in what’s known as the Great Commission. For Julian Ybarra, who grew up in Snyder, growing what is considered a ‘plant church’ has led him back to his roots. “When I was just five years old, an evangelist told my parents that I would become a pastor, but they didn’t tell me that story until much later in life,” he said. After sixteen years of serving in ministry at the Elim Assembly of God in Corpus Christi, Julian and his wife Sylvia felt called to plant a church. “We didn’t understand why West Texas but trusted God’s plan. We’ve come to find out the many reasons why He brought us here,” said Sylvia. In 2022 that calling would lead Julian, Sylvia and their two children to Snyder. “At first, we were meeting in a hotel room with just a few people. As we grew, we acquired a small building, but it needed so many repairs that you couldn’t really have service there. We rented the youth center for service while we started to work on the building,” explained Julian. ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:16-20
26 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group In just two years, Elim Assembly of God in Snyder has grown into a congregation of about sixty-five people. They are worshipping in a new building now and utilizing the original building for community outreach. The pastors relied on social media to help spread the word as they focused on Christcentered service. “Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. In Greek, the word for ‘to serve’ is daikoneo, like the word deacon. When you look at it in that context, service really stands out. Even when Christ was going through everything he was going through, he put it aside to care and wait on others,” said Julian. The original building is now used for one of the church’s outreach ministries called Connect Hub. “It started out as a winter clothing drive. We had drop off spots and gathered all the donations. Then we organized it into sizes and invited the community to take what they needed. We had left over donations, so we decided to use the building on Avenue Z to store all those donations. Anyone can donate clothing and anyone in need is able to accept clothing,” said Sylvia. This type of outreach is one way that Elim Assembly of God expresses its love for the community. They’ve also given away back to school supplies, food baskets on Thanksgiving and expressed appreciation for
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guards with cold beverages. Every Wednesday, Julian joins other pastors for Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Snyder Junior High School. They are also trying to develop devotionals to serve college students. “We developed a relationship with the women’s soccer team at Western Texas College. Most of the students are away from home and some from other countries so our intention is to create a family culture not only within our church but with those in our community. We don’t just worship or have Bible study with them. “We’ll also watch their games,” said Julian. Within the congregation, men and women ministry groups offer people a chance to decompress from the businesses of life. “Families just want to find somewhere to rest and take a breather. We strive to do that in our Connect Groups. We have a Bible study for men and women where you can unwind, share stories and receive encouragement,” said Julian. “Sometimes as men, we tend to not share our feelings but when you get everyone together, men have a tendency to open up. It can really relieve the stress and anxiety of life. When we come together as a family in Christ and help one another, we can continue moving forward.” Moving forward with purpose, passion and power is the focus for Elim Assembly of God as they continue to grow their congregation and outreach. “It doesn’t matter what church you’re a part of, the Snyder community really comes together to support its students and the community itself,” said Julian. “We’ve been amazed and blessed by the support we’ve received from fellow pastors who really have a passion for Snyder and our surrounding communities.” † Elim Assembly of God Snyder 2462 S TX-208 Sunday Services begin at 9:30 a.m. www.elimsnyder.net 28 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
29 hometown living at its best 6200 College Ave., Snyder, Texas 79549 • 325-573-8511 • wtc.edu/truckdriving Western Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in its programs or activities. Ready for a career with a view? Hit the open road with WTC’s TRUCK DRIVING CERTIFICATE! FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE! SCAN ME NOW New Student Checklist
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32 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Graduates HOMETOWN 1 2 3
hometown living at its best 6 Join us in congratulating them with prayers & well wishes for their future endeavors. Contact our office for information on being featured in our next HOMETOWN GRADUATES SECTION. office@hometownmedia.group 1. AARON PENA | Snyder High School 2. KAYLA VASQUEZ | Snyder High School 3. TRINITY RODRIGUEZ | Snyder High School 4. JAYCI MEDRANO | Snyder High School 5. EEYAN NAVARRO | Snyder High School 6. ALYSSA OLIVAREZ | Snyder High School Photos by ASosa80s Photography 4 5
HOMETOWN Happenings
35 hometown living at its best Photos provided by Snyder Chamber of Commerce & Snyder Community Members This past year’s White Buffalo Days festival lived up to its reputation as a vibrant, family-friendly celebration that brought the community and visitors together to honor the “Land of the White Buffalo.” As always, the festival offered a perfect mix of entertainment, culture, and tradition, providing fun for visitors of all ages. The multi-day event featured a street dance with live music, car show, foam party, Jeep rally, vendors, shopping, children’s activities and a whole lot of fun for the entire family! From the moment the festivities kicked off, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The heart of the celebration was the sense of togetherness that filled the streets, as locals and visitors alike embraced the spirit of our rich history and unique cultural heritage. DAYS 2024 White Buffalo
37 hometown living at its best MAJORS Agriculture Art Biology Business Elementary Education Pre-Engineering English General Studies – Arts General Studies – Science Health, PE & Kinesiology Mass Communications Mathematics Pre-Law Pre-Med Studies Pre-Nursing Secondary Education Social Sciences – General Theater ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES OF STUDY Accounting Chemistry Criminal Justice Economics Geography Geology Government History Humanities Philosophy Physical Science Physics Psychology Sociology Spanish Speech CAREERS Criminal Justice Early Childhood Education Electrical Lineworker Technology Farm and Ranch Management Golf Course and Sports Turf Field Management Medical/Clinical Assistant Medical Administrative Assistant Petroleum Technology Truck Driver Owner/Operator Welding 6200 College Ave., Snyder, Texas 79549 • 325-573-8511 • wtc.edu Friendly. Affordable. Close to home. Get started now! Your opportunity to start a degree or train for a career is on your doorstep! FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE! Western Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in its programs or activities. SCAN ME NOW New Student Checklist
38 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group S WRITTEN BY HANNAH TURNER | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE BROWNING FAMILY How one man’s JOYFUL LIFE and SPIRITED SOUL has left an UNFORGETTABLE LEGACY in the community. JOY Beyond Words Stacy James Browning, a Snyder native, was a teenager with a zest for life. Between school, sports and time with family and friends he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player or a member of a SWAT team. According to his family, he was a natural protector and loyal to a fault. He exuded joy and loved his people fiercely. “Stacy was just an all-around good kid,” his mother Pam Browning recalled. “He was always such a thoughtful young man and was always doing for others.” The Browning family was changed forever 40 years ago, on February 5, 1985, when Stacy suffered severe head and brain stem injuries as the result of a tragic accident at the age of 14 that would impact his mobility and speech and require total care for the rest of his life. Defying the odds, he survived his injuries and lived a full life, continuing to be a light for his family and the entire community until his passing in 2021. Stacy’s niece Whitney Kinney reflected fondly on the way her uncle has shaped her and her children’s view of the world. “When you have a
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41 hometown living at its best loved one that is special needs you learn to love differently,” Whitney said. “It gives you a capacity to love in a way that maybe everyone doesn’t get to experience. We have a lot of people in this world who have a disability or special needs of some kind and because we all had the privilege of having him in our lives, we are able to love without seeing a disability.” Stacy lived in several care facilities before eventually moving into his own home where he had full time care and family gathered often. His parents were actively involved in his care and advocated for his needs alongside many medical professionals over the years. Thanks to her experience with her uncle and seeing how her grandparents advocated for him throughout his life, Whitney has spent her career giving a voice to those who may not be able to communicate for themselves as a privately contracted advocate for children with special needs. “I’ve always said I would never change who my uncle was because of everything he was and meant to me,” Whitney said, “but now I feel like he has given me the ability to give other people the voice that their parents don’t know how to have, or they don’t have for themselves because they’re just kids or because their disability stops them from being able to do that.” Ashlee Grantham Thompson, another of Stacy’s nieces, has spent the last seventeen years caring for others as a home health nurse. Though she always planned on being a nurse, her experiences with her uncle have allowed her to see and care for her patients in a unique light. “Seeing patients like him, it made me a lot more empathetic and helped me establish a better relationship with those patients and their families
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43 hometown living at its best because I’ve experienced it also,” Ashlee said. “It is a lot more personal.” In early 2021 Stacy’s mother asked Ashlee to come and care for him as his private nurse. “I took her offer and I am so glad I did,” Ashlee said. “I had from March until July with him and we had the best of times. I am so grateful for those last few months with him.” Despite his circumstances, Stacy never failed to share a smile. His contagious laugh could often be heard echoing down the hall while visiting with friends or watching his favorite movies. “Everything was so positive. He would brighten anybody’s day,” Ashlee said. “Whether he was having a bad day or a good day, people would come to him to make their days better.” His outlook on life continues to impact those closest to him today. If there was anything his family would want someone to take away from who he was, it would be joy. “I had an uncle who couldn’t talk to me, who depended a lot on other people, who was still joyous,” Whitney said. “He may not have had some other things, the ability to speak or walk, but God gave him joy. And he gave him such an infectious joy, so many people who crossed his path got a taste of the joy that can only come from Jesus.”
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45 hometown living at its best When Stacy passed away in July of 2021 the family discussed ways to continue his legacy of caring. “We knew when he passed away that we, as a family, didn’t want that love to stop; The joy he was able to share to stop,” Whitney said. “The best way to carry that on, for us, was in the form of a scholarship so he could keep giving to others even if it is just in his name.” At the end of 2023, the Browning family made a generous donation of $10,000 to establish a scholarship at Western Texas College (WTC) that will help address the immediate needs of WTC students who graduated from a Scurry County or Borden County school. Through this endowed scholarship, Stacy’s legacy will live on for years to come by supporting students as they pursue their educational goals. †
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48 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group E NEWLY PROMOTED POLICE CHIEF MIKE COUNTS TAKES HIS DECADES OF SERVICE TO A NEW LEVEL INTEGRITY leading with WRITTEN BY SARA HOOK | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY POLICE CHIEF MIKE COUNTS Every town wants a police department that cares about the community, and every town wants a police department that has the experience to operate effectively. It’s the police chief that sets that tone for his department, leading by example in community connection, skill, and drive. This past year Snyder has been blessed to have a police chief with all of those things: a local upbringing, decades of experience, and a passion for service. Police Chief Mike Counts’ first job was with the Snyder police force in 2001 and he has remained with them his entire career, going from police officer to patrol sergeant in 2007, and from sergeant to lieutenant in 2018. He was most recently promoted to police chief at the end of May 2024, after five months serving as interim chief. In his 20+ year career Counts served under four different police chiefs and worked both as a patrol officer and as a detective in Snyder’s Criminal Investigation Division. The cases they solved and the obstacles they overcame in those years are something to be proud of, Counts said, and his goal is to continue working for the Snyder Police Department until the day he retires. Law enforcement has always been part of Counts’ professional career, but it was just as much a part of his childhood. His father was the sheriff in Fisher County and Counts grew up in the same 3-story building as the jail. Naturally, he was interested in the profession. Counts said, “The sheriffs typically lived where the jail was [back] in those days, and so my family’s house was there at the jail. So I grew up in law enforcement.” Counts joined the Snyder police department right after graduating high school. A lot of things have changed since then, both with Snyder and in his personal life: Snyder is larger, there are different businesses and different residents, and Counts’ family has grown to include his wife and kids. One thing that has not changed, however, is the reason that he joined the police force in the first place. “I still have the drive to want to help people, want to help our community, want to help other officers,” Counts said. “We play an important piece and I’m excited to do it and excited to still be in this profession.”
“I STILL HAVE THE DRIVE TO WANT TO HELP PEOPLE, WANT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, WANT TO HELP OTHER OFFICERS. WE PLAY AN IMPORTANT PIECE AND I’M EXCITED TO DO IT AND EXCITED TO STILL BE IN THIS PROFESSION.” - Police Chief Mike Counts 49 hometown living at its best
50 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group “We all lean on each other when times get hard, and so we support that a hundred percent and we want to stand together with everybody.” - Police Chief Mike Counts
51 hometown living at its best Many things that Counts has dealt with during his time with the police force have not been easy to see, but being able to help people in their time of need has always been one of the best things about the job for him. Snyder may have grown since 2001, but it is still a small town with a small-town feel. Because of that, Counts said the police force is well connected and usually knows the people they are trying to help – allowing for good relationships between the police and the community. In Snyder the saying is true; everybody knows everybody. Counts said, “We know our community, we know the people who live and work here and we’re on a first-name basis with them.” The same thing is true within the police department, and part of Counts’ role as police chief is to foster that supportive team environment, standing with the officers and the community in making Snyder a better, safer place. Counts said, “We all lean on each other when times get hard, and so we support that a hundred percent and we want to stand together with everybody.” Keeping Snyder safe isn’t something Counts can do alone, something that is reflected in the mission statement of the department. The mission statement reads “TO NURTURE AN ENVIRONMENT OF WELLBEING, AND TOGETHER WITH THE CITIZENS OF SNYDER, WORK TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENTS, SAFETY, AND GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY.” The police force has done well in bringing that goal to fruition, and Counts believes the officers under his purview will continue to do so. “I think they do an exceptional job,” Counts said. “We have a very good group of officers down here.” As Snyder continues to grow, residents new and old can rely on the Snyder Police Department, and Mike Counts as Police Chief. Counts said, “[The community] can call on us at any time if they need anything. We are here to support our community, we’re here to support our visitors and anybody that comes into our community.” †
HOMETOWN Happenings Photos provided by FBC Last January, a remodel of the facilities of First Baptist Church began. The Long Range Planning Team (LRPT) helped facilitate the entire process. The LRPT, the ‘Retired Crew’ (a dedicated group of volunteers) and some area contractors worked tirelessly for over eight months to transform parts of the 1958 building into a modern, functional facility. Windows were replaced, sanctuary and exterior lights were updated, new sound equipment was installed, restrooms were modernized, and the antiquated plumbing system received an overhaul. To serve the church’s mission to reach and disciple families, a 3-tiered indoor playground was assembled. The library was converted into a new coffee shop space, which is now providing fellowship opportunities for various FBC groups. The congregation had a front-row seat to the renovation journey, watching as the building transformed while still being used for services throughout the process. They were also an integral part of the journey, with regular Town Hall meetings offering opportunities to provide input. It was truly a collaborative effort. Cortni Angeley, FBC Facility Manager and project manager for the renovation, shared, “Watching the faithful servants of our congregation invest time, financial gifts, expertise, energy, and love into the renovation was a blessing. We trusted God, and watched in awe as He made everything come together in his perfect timing. We look forward to seeing how He uses our facilities to help people grow in their relationships with God and one another. To God alone be the glory!” The LRPT would like to recognize the late Danny Boyd, an original member of the team. It was his dream to see the renovation project a reality. Renovavtions FBC
53 hometown living at its best “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21
54 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group DISCOVERSNYDERTX.COM | SNYDERCHAMBER.ORG
WESTERN TEXAS COLLEGE COLISEUM 900 East Coliseum Dr., Snyder, Texas 79549 325-574-6571 wtc.edu/thecoliseum Call 325-574-6571 to book your event! Western Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in its programs or activities. STADIUM SEATING FOR 3890 BANQUET SEATING FOR 1000 COVERED INDOOR ARENA 91 RV SPACES WESTERNER ROOM SEATING FOR 150 WITH KITCHEN 51+ ACRES FOR RECREATION/EXHIBITION COMPLETE EQUIPMENT FOR LIVESTOCK EVENTS COMPLETE CATERING SERVICES AVAILABLE HISTORIC HERITAGE VILLAGE ON GROUNDS 55 hometown living at its best
HOMETOWN Happenings Photos provided by Scurry County Golf Course Reaching a 100-year milestone is a rare and remarkable achievement for any business or establishment, and this past year, Scurry County Golf Course (established in 1924), celebrated exactly that. Over the decades, the course has been a treasured part of the area, providing a space for residents and visitors alike to gather, play, and enjoy golfing. To honor this milestone, a Centennial Celebration was held on August 10th and 11th. The event featured a 3-Person Scramble tournament that drew golfers of all skill levels, food trucks, and a bounce house for the kids, ensuring fun for all ages. It was a weekend filled with laughter, friendly competition, and memories as families and friends came together to celebrate a century of history at the beloved golf course. SCURRY COUNTY GOLF COURSE Centennial Celebration
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College on the Square 1806 26th Street, Snyder, Texas 79549 325-574-6581 wtc.edu/collegeonsquare Partner to Train You and Your Workforce Your Space to Learn Art and New Skills Your Source for Continuing Education Your Teaching Skills and Training Our Community for a Lifetime Western Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in its programs or activities. Accounting • Acrylic Art • Adobe PhotoShop • Basic Sign Language • Business Management • Commercial Driver License Conversational Spanish • CPR/First Aid • Customer Service • Drawing • Digital Photography • Driver Education • Fire Extinguisher Training • Floral Design • Food Handler Certification • Hazmat Training • Heavy Equipment Training • Introduction to Computers Leadership Workshops • Microsoft Office • Microsoft Excel • Mixed Media • Motorcycle Safety • Pilates • Pottery Safety/Compliance Courses • ServSafe Manager Certification • Well Control Training CDL TRAINING WELL CONTROL TRAINING ART CLASSES 59 hometown living at its best
WRITTEN BY BECCA NELSON SANKEY | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GATEWAY FAMILY SERVICES, INC. A local family violence program helps hundreds of people a year recover physically and emotionally so they can start anew. A SHELTER FROM THE STORM 60 snyder lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
IIt’s not easy working for a nonprofit that helps survivors of some of the most heinous crimes get back on their feet, but having been CEO of Gateway Family Services, Inc. for more than 23 years, Lyndia Allen knows a thing or two about its intrinsic rewards. “We serve over 600 clients a year for the past 15 years,” Allen said. “That’s a tremendous number of people helped through the years, and we know we’ve had numerous cases where we feel like the victim and their children’s lives were saved because they had a safe place to go.” Gateway Family Services, Inc. celebrated the 40th anniversary of their family violence program this past October, with a grand opening of two of its buildings, a non-residential victim service and training center and a resale shop next door. Gateway Resale Shop is open to the public to help fund Gateway’s initiatives and allows residents to shop free. The resale shop opened in its new location on College Avenue in 2020, but the grand opening was postponed due to the pandemic and the training center was recently purchased and renovated thanks to a private foundation who graciously covered 72 percent of the cost. Of the latter building, Allen said, “We felt like God provided it. We can bring in free training for advocates, sexual assault nurse examiners, and trainings for prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement.” 61 hometown living at its best
However, Gateway is much more than its newest buildings. In 1984, the nonprofit opened as Noah Project-West, a satellite office of Abilene’s Noah Project, Inc., which helps domestic violence survivors. The nonprofit, which serves clients in its Snyder headquarters as well as the counties of Scurry, Nolan, Mitchell, Fischer, and Kent, operated its shelter at Snyder’s old county jail for more than a decade. When it began construction on a new building, Denise Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson, was the guest speaker at a dinner held in Snyder to raise awareness about the facility and domestic violence. A few years later, the organization rebranded as Gateway Family Services, Inc., independent of Noah Project, to also help sexual assault survivors. “We are classified as a temporary shelter and a crisis center,” Allen said. “Clients can stay six weeks, but a lot stay less if they have family or means to find a place to live; a good number stay longer. It all depends what state they’re in emotionally and physically. Some have to recover from physical injuries first.” Gateway advocates are trained to help survivors of family violence and curate a service plan for each client. “We connect them to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Crime Victims Compensation, and we help them apply for low-income housing,” Allen said, adding that advocates also provide transportation to and from medical appointments, as well as provide them access to low-cost or pro bono attorneys to help them build cases against their abusers. “The goal is for them to become self-sufficient, so they need to apply for services themselves, but we are with them every step of the way.” Other services Gateway offers include everything from job application preparation and budgeting to parenting classes. “We try to cover everything they might need to
have a better chance of becoming independent and successful,” Allen said. Gateway is part of countless success stories, including one that earned them a personal thankyou from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was the state’s attorney general at the time. “We worked with three law enforcement agencies between here and the Metroplex,” Allen said about Gateway’s efforts to help a woman from one of their service area counties. The woman’s family contacted police to help their daughter flee her baby’s father, “She was terrified, and the local law enforcement agency asked if we had room for her and the child and we said yes. They coordinated to pick up her and her child when she went grocery shopping. She was able to take one tote bag so as not to arouse suspicion.” Officers took her so far before law enforcement from another town took over and drove the woman and her child to Gateway, where they were less likely to be located. “She changed her name, her child’s name, and we helped through that process.” The woman was able to secure housing, a steady job, and – most importantly – a sense of security, Allen said. “We watched her blossom into such a self-confident woman and mother,” she said. While Gateway has helped countless women, and some men, secure safety and stability, they also know it wouldn’t be possible without divine intervention. Allen recalled a time when Nolan County’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class, which provides adults and high school students tours to learn the inner workings of various local facilities, visited Gateway. One of the graduates eventually called Gateway to make a sizeable contribution. Jennifer Taylor, Chief Operating Officer/Advocate, suggested mattresses for the shelter. They brought 22 brand-new mattresses to Gateway, and an employee who helped deliver them related that he and his mom had stayed at the shelter when he was a child. “We get a ringside seat to this,” Allen said. “It’s very hard work, but those are the rewards that keep you going.” Thanks to low attrition rates among staff, community donations and support, as well as grant funding and fundraisers, Gateway now has 40 years of longevity to celebrate. “Snyder’s very fortunate to have the shelter,” Allen said. “I get calls from other towns asking for us to put Gateway shelters there. To be celebrating 40 year is proof to us that God provides.” † 63 hometown living at its best
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