Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* Robert L. Cervenka of Riesel was selected by his peers as Texas Farm Bureau’s District 8 Pioneer Award winner during the organization’s 75th annual meeting in Corpus Christi in December.

The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the Farm Bureau and Texas agriculture.

Cervenka joined the McLennan County Farm Bureau in 1948 and has served on the board for 45 years, including terms as president, vice president and secretary-treasurer. In 1968 he oversaw the purchase of the land for the county office.

* Longtime Texas Farm Bureau employee Tom Catchings of Crawford was honored during the organization’s 75th annual meeting with the Texas Farm Bureau Staff Pioneer Award, which recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the Farm Bureau and Texas agriculture.

Catchings was appointed the director of staff development for Texas Farm Bureau and affiliated companies in November 1996. His Texas Farm Bureau career spanned more than 30 years.

* David Meine completed requirements for the Advanced Communicator Bronze Award from Toastmasters International. Meine did 10 speaking projects from two different Advanced Communication manuals.

Meine is retired from the faculty of Texas State Technical College in Waco, and is a member of the Technically Speaking Toastmasters Club.

* Show and Tell Antiques, 1525 Morrow Ave., received the 2008 Best of Waco Award in the antique dealers category by the U.S. Local Business Association.

Winners are selected on information gleaned from USLBA and data provided by third parties. Show and Tell Antiques, established in 1971, specializes in estate liquidation and appraisals in addition to 19th-century antiques. Milton L. Talbert Jr. has been associated with the family-owned business since 1986.

* Class Acts *

* Collin Brown, a Lorena High School junior, added two top finishes in the fall to his percussive accomplishments. He placed second at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention as a snare drum soloist on Nov. 6 and took first place on the snare at the Lonestar Classic on Nov. 15. The Lonestar Classic is the largest drum/drumline competition in Texas.

* Teressa Kayla Wilson of Waco was named to the president’s honor list for the fall quarter at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La.

* In the Military *

* Army Pvt. Carlos Jones, a 2008 graduate of Waco High School, has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Rebecca Brown of Waco.

* Army Pvt. Ashley N. Reyes, the daughter of Catherine Rocha of Waco, has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. She is a 2008 graduate of Azle High School.

* Army Cpl. Terry A. Dilday, whose wife, Patricia, is the daughter of Juany R. River of Waco, is returning to Fort Hood after a 15-month deployment to Camp Liberty in Iraq.

The soldier, assigned to the 566th Area Support Medical Company, has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal for exceptional service and duty performance.

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