Archives for April 2002

The time has come again for foolishness and family fun as Clarendon hosts the second annual Donley County Spring Turkey Strut Festival this weekend.

Activities begin Saturday morning at 10:00 with the Arts & Crafts show at the Lions Hall and the Rebekah Lodge. Live entertainment will be held on Kearney Street, and a Kids Carnival will be set up east of the Post Office.

A Cakewalk is also planned downtown.

The Turkey Cook-Off begins at noon east of the Post Office. Five dollars buys samples from all the entrants and a chance to vote for the best dish. KEFH-FM will begin a live remote broadcast from downtown at 3 p.m.

Bird and wildlife viewings will be held throughout the day at Finch Ranch, Coyote Ridge, and James Pinkney Rodgers Bird Sanctuary. Signups for these tours will be at the Lions Hall. Also, bird and wildlife seminars will be held through the day on the Lions Hall lawn.

The long-awaited crowning of the Donley County Turkey King will be at 5 p.m., followed by the Turkey Mattress Race, Cook-Off Trophies, a raffle drawing for $300 to any local merchant, and the Kids Strut & Gobble Contest.

At press time, Chamber officials said mattress race entries had been received from Floyd’s Automotive, Floyd’s Motor Company, the Commissioners’ Court, and the Clarendon College R.O. guys.

Also on Saturday night, KLSR-FM will provide music for a street dance until 10 p.m. The station asks that you call ahead of time if you have special songs you’d like to hear at the dance. The number is 259-3511.

Sunday morning begins with a Cowboy Church Service and breakfast at the Bitter Creek Ranch. And the craft fair continues that afternoon until 5:00.

By Carrie Helms, Clarendon Enterprise

Both the Clarendon Bronco and Colt Bands brought home Sweepstakes trophies from the U.I.L District Band competition last week in Boys Ranch.

High school bands receive Sweepstakes by earning superior ratings in all three areas of competition: marching contest in the fall and concert and sight-reading contests in the spring. 

“We didn’t win sweepstakes last year because of minor setback in marching,” band director Todd Baker said, “but this year the band is back where it should be.”

Junior high bands compete in concert and sight-reading and earned superior ratings from all six judges.

“The Colt band had a great day and represented the school well,” Baker said.

Both bands have achieved this honor in the past and hope to continue the tradition of excellence.

“Every year we play harder and more complicated music, and each year we do it a little better,” Baker said. “I believe this was our best effort yet.”

The Bronco Band performed “March Juno,” “Prospect,” and “Declaration Overture.” The Colt band played “Brandy Station March,” “Chester,” and “American Folk Tune Adventure.”

The high school judges were complementary of the band directors, the soloists, and the band.  One judge wrote in his comments, “Money well spent on a fine band program.  Be proud and keep it up!”  Another wrote, “Some of the best clarinet tone quality I have heard in 2 days! What a fine, well-rehearsed band!”

Editor’s Note: Sarah Depew, Kelsea Hoeltzel, and Regan Lemley each contributed to this report.

By Carrie Helms, Clarendon Enterprise

The $187,000 improvement project at Sandy Beach that has been three years in the making is nearing completion.

Greenbelt Water Authority received its third grant since 1997 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission to build and improve facilities on Sandy Beach.

“We can apply for grants every other year,” said Bobbie Kidd, General Manager of Greenbelt Water Authority. “This is the same grant that helped us do the Boat Routes in 1995 and work on Kincaid Park.”

The Commission requires that all projects be completed within three years of receiving the grant. That time limit expired March 15.

“We have received an extension, but everything must be complete before August. We should be done well before that deadline.”

The construction includes walking trails, RV campsites, covered picnic tables and grills, a gazebo, and even an amphitheater.

 “The project is now 71 percent complete,” Kidd said. “The only projects still undone are the volleyball court and playground area, and those shouldn’t take long.”

Once the Sandy Beach project is completed, the plant must update its Master Plan, but the next projects on the agenda are High Bluff and the plant itself, he said.

“We won’t be starting another project for a year or two, but we want to make Greenbelt Lake a safe and enjoyable place for everyone, especially for kids and families.”

The Panhandle Press Association awarded top honors to The Clarendon Enterprise during its 92nd annual convention Saturday in Amarillo.

The Enterprise received the General Excellence award in the 2001 PPA Better Newspaper Contest in the Division I category. The Canadian Record placed second, and the Quanah Tribune-Chief was third.

The contest was judged by members of the Gulf Coast Press Association.

“The PPA contest keeps us on our toes as friendly rivals try to best one another each year,” said publisher Roger Estlack. “This was a good year for us, but we couldn’t do it without our dedicated staff and the support of our readers and advertisers.”

The local paper received first place plaques for News Writing, Best Editorials, Best Humorous Columns (Christi Ross), and Front Page Layouts; second place plaques for Headline Writing and Society/Lifestyles page; and third place awards for Advertising Initiative and Feature Photos. The Enterprise also was given Honorable Mentions for Sports Writing and Best Serious Columns (Cynthia Hall).

Judges said Enterprise news stories were well written and held reader interest. Local editorials were also called well written with lots of detail backing up valid points.

Christi Ross had judges laughing out loud with articles about dying her hair (or trying to), a less than thoughtful gift from her sister, and a relative’s “silicone twins.”

The Enterprise’s front page layout was called “outstanding,” and the society page was praised for its range of articles, effective design, and good writing.

“The society page is a group effort,” Estlack said. “We rely on our regular columnists – Cynthia Hall, Gail Shelton, and Peggy Watt – as well as our guest columnists to put it all together.”

The Enterprise also brought home the Ken Towery Community Service Award for its coverage of the 2001 Donley County Turkey Strut and the humorous events of the Turkey King election.

The Towery Award is named after former Floydada publisher Ken Towery, a man who was devoted to community journalism during his career. Each year the PPA Board of Directors selects two recipients of the award, one in the weekly division and another in the semi-weekly/daily division. The winner receives a plaque and a $250 cash award.

The Enterprise also received the Towery Award in 2001 and in 1999. Clarendon’s paper last received the General Excellence award in 2000.

Also during this year’s convention, the Enterprise’s Carrie Helms was selected as one of three young ladies to receive PPA Scholarships. The $500 award will be matched with an additional $500 from the Texas Press Association.

In other PPA news, three journalists were inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame. Those honored were the late Buford Davenport of the Abernathy Weekly Review; W.H. “Hop” Graham of the Lovington Daily Leader, the Farwell State Line Tribune, the Stratford Star, and The Bovina Blade; and Tom Higley of the Childress Index, the Sayer Journal, and the Holis News. Higley also served in the early 1970s as the manager of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce.

Governor Rick Perry this week announced grants totaling $553,217 to help local law enforcement agencies in 94 Texas cities and counties purchase equipment, including more than $9,000 for the Donley County Sheriff’s Department.

The grants, awarded through by the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor’s Office, are funded through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant of the US Department of Justice.

“These grants make it possible for smaller communities in Texas to provide peace officers with the latest technology,” Perry said. “By providing access to essential equipment, law enforcement efforts are strengthened, and safety is bolstered for Texans in every part of our state.”

The one-time grants for up to $10,000 may be used to purchase equipment related to law enforcement or public safety functions, such as bulletproof vests, radios, video systems, or mobile data units for patrol vehicles.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his department will use the money to buy four new light bars and five new radios for patrol vehicles. The grant totals $9,415, and the county will provide a match of $1,043.

Donley is one of only three Panhandle counties receiving the grants. The others are Hemphill and Randall.

Each year, CJD provides more than $130 million in grants to help Texans at the forefront of the fight against crime. CJD funds a variety of programs for juvenile justice, crime prevention, and victim services grants.

Early voting by personal appearance begins April 17 for three local boards.

Citizens of the City of Clarendon can cast early ballots for three aldermen at City Hall. Those running are Tommy Hill, Janice Knorpp, Mac Stavenhagen (i), and Mark White (i). Billy Jack Land (i) is running as a write-in candidate.

Howardwick citizens will also select three aldermen and can choose from Vernon Byars (i), Sam Grider, Donald Holladay, or Bobby Murdock. Balloting is at the Howardwick City Hall.

Citizens of Donley County can vote for three positions on the Clarendon College Board of Regents. Those running are Jimmy Blackerby, Mary Douglas, Sherol Johnston, Jack A. Moreman (i), and Bill Sansing (i). Early votes may be cast at the CC Administration Building.

Early voting continues through April 30, 2002. The election will be held May 4.

Mutt Graham has claimed the lead to be Donley County’s 2002 Turkey King as the election enters week three, but another candidate is pecking at his feet.

Graham has overtaken former front-strutter Rev. James Edwards by a margin of $18.41 to $13.34.

The real surprise this week, however, has been Howardwick Alderman Nancy Davis’ sleeper candidacy. After being at and near the bottom of the flock for weeks, Davis vaulted into second place this week with a groundswell of support. With little more than four bits to her name a week ago, Davis’ jar at Duckwall’s has swollen to a total of $14.48.

Edwards is now at third place with Larry Hicks trailing way behind at $7. Larry Jeffers and Joel Zehr round out the top six with $6.45 and $6.32 each.

The other candidates haven’t taken flight, but in an election where money talks, anything can and often does happen, analysts say.

No major controversies were brewing this week. Bright Newhouse’s stolen jar has been replaced, but his candidacy may have been fatally injured. His total this week is a paltry $3.50.

Election judge Linda Gray says her people hide Newhouse’s jar every time they see former candidate and suspected jar-napper Vic Jeter coming. Some analysts say hiding Newhouse’s jar may be hurting him in the polling.

In other turkey news, one of the rare wooden Salt Fork Turkeys, Samuel J. Featherbottom (known as Uncle Sam to his friends and war buddies), was granted asylum last week at the Donley County VFW Post, according to Quartermaster Bill Holden. Sam reportedly enjoyed several rounds of free beer and pretzels before taking flight.

Other red, white, and blue turkeys are also out and about. Recipients of the patriotic turkeys have to pay $5 to have them removed from their yards and can pay another $5 to move it to someone else’s yard. Anyone can have a turkey put in someone’s yard for a birthday, anniversary, or gag gift for a $5 donation.

All proceeds benefit the Donley County Tourism Council.

For more information about the Donley County Turkey Strut or to place your order, contact Dee Dee Autry at 874-3889 or Carolyn Blackerby at the Burton Library at 874-3685.

The second annual Turkey Strut will be April 19-21.

Mark Suna has big city origins, but the future owner of Chamberlain Motor Company – to be re-named Suna AutoMall – says he is ready for life in the small town.

“The town has been wonderful,” Suna said. “The banks here – the Herring National Bank and the Community Bank – have rallied around to make this sale possible. The hospitality given to me as an outsider has been wonderful.”

The New York City native says he wants to get involved in civic activities and work to make the town grow, and he wants Suna AutoMall to help lead the way.

“I’m not treating it as my dealership,” he said. “I’m treating it as a part of Clarendon.”

Suna says he wants to open the dealership for civic events and plans to hold either monthly or bi-monthly activities to bring people out to enjoy his facility whether they buy a car or not.

While the look of the dealership may change, other things will stay the same at the dealership. Suna says he’s keeping all the current employees, and folks who purchased cars from Chamberlain’s can still get quality service for their vehicles. And Suna AutoMall will still be a full-line General Motors dealer, although it will no long sell Oldsmobiles since GM is discontinuing that line of cars.

A GM Boutique will be added to sell GM branded merchandise.

Suna also plans on adding to the employee roster as he triples the inventory of cars and works to achieve his goal of selling 70 or more new cars per month.

“Our motto will be ‘No one walks away from Suna AutoMall; they drive away,’” he said. “Whatever it takes to earn people’s business is what we’ll do.”

Suna has had a varied career. Born and raised in New York, he studied psychology and became a university lecturer. He later hosted a radio talk show and worked as a motivational speaker. He left New York and lived in Louisville, Kentucky, for 24 years before moving to Dallas 3½ years ago where a friend taught him the ropes of the auto industry.

He was looking for a dealership of his own when Trey Chamberlain offered him the opportunity.

“When I came to Clarendon and saw the town and saw the dealership, from a spiritual standpoint I knew this was the dealership for me,” he said.

Suna says Chamberlain made the dealership available at a good price when he could have gotten more money from someone else. But Chamberlain wanted to sell to someone who would make Clarendon his home.

“That says something about the previous owner and his commitment to the community,” Suna said. “Now I want to make him proud.”