Archives for June 2006

Residents are lining up as Friday’s deadline approaches for the first ever “Trash To Treasures” citywide garage sale slated for next Saturday, June 17.

More than 20 garage sales are already planned in Clarendon and nearby communities, and more are expected to sign up this week.

The Clarendon Enterprise and A Fine Feathered Nest, Inc., have teamed up to sponsor “Trash To Treasures,” and the organizers say they are pleased with the response so far.

“When we started talking about this idea, we said we would be happy if it got 15 participants the first year,” Enterprise publisher Roger Estlack said. “We’ve surpassed that goal and think it will only get bigger in the years to come.”

The event has expanded to include the communities of Howardwick, Hedley, and Lelia Lake. The idea of the event is to coordinate the dozens of garage sales held throughout the year, have them on the same day, and try to draw the biggest possible crowds to the sales.

Residents who wish to participate in “Trash To Treasures” should come by the Enterprise before 5 p.m. on this Friday, June 9, to sign up for the promotion.

For just $20, each household will get 50-word advertisement in the Big-E Classifieds and the exclusive “Trash To Treasures” garage sale kit, which includes tips for holding a successful sale, price stickers, and two yard signs.

In addition, the Enterprise will print a map in next week’s edition indicating the location of each sale and will promote the citywide garage sale in area newspapers and with local radio ads.

The sponsors of “Trash To Treasures” intend for the event to be something that not only will help residents earn more money at their garage and yard sales but will also bring people from out of town to Clarendon to spend the day visiting local neighborhoods and doing business with local merchants and restaurants.

Local merchants are encouraged to plan special promotions or sidewalk sales to coincide with the event, and advertising space will be made available on the back of the “Trash To Treasures” map. A Fine Feathered Nest’s Chriss Clifford has been visiting local merchants to encourage them join in the event.

Again, the deadline for joining the “Trash To Treasures” promotion is this Friday, June 9, at 5 p.m. For more information, call the Enterprise today at 874-2259.

Clarendon High School has recognized a total of $212,000 in scholarships for this year’s graduating seniors.

Individual awards and scholarships were announced during CHS commencement exercises May 26 at the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Auditorium and released to the media the following week. Information for scholarships received by this year’s graduating seniors in Hedley is expected to be made available next week.

The following list of monies received by Clarendon’s Class of 2006 does not include awards received since graduation or unknown to the school.

Michael Henderson has received the Edith Ballew Memorial from Clarendon College for $175 and the Clarendon College Academic Scholarship for $325.

Jessica Krumwiede has been awarded the Ray and June Palmer Memorial from CC for $250 and the CC Academic Scholarship for $450.

Kristin McAfee will receive the CC Development Endowment for $250 and the CC Academic Scholarship for $450. Kristin is also the recipient of the local Les Beaux Arts Club Scholarship for $200 and has received the Betsy Ellerbrook Memorial Scholarship for $500. It is given to a band member who has exhibited good conduct and leadership throughout their high school career and has demonstrated a willingness to be involved in extra band activities.  Kristin has also received a $500 Herring Bank Employee Scholarship to Clarendon College.

Edith Mincey got the CC Memorial Scholarship for $200 and a Clarendon College Academic Scholarship for $275.

Morgan Robinson was the recipient of the Ross Harwood Beville Memorial for $338 and a Clarendon College Academic Scholarship in the amount of $162.

Kimberly Tolbert received the CC Memorial Scholarship for $200, the Joe Harlan Memorial for $500, and the Nicholas White-AEP Service Corp. Scholarship for $500, all from Clarendon College.

Holly Cornell received a $200 dollar FFA Booster Scholarship and one of four FFA Bronco Booster Scholarships. 

Will Drackley has received a $1,500 Theatre Scholarship and a $300 General Scholarship to Western Texas College.

Calvin Edwards received an $800 FFA Booster Scholarship.

Stephen Ford has signed on with the US Navy and as a result has received a $36,000 scholarship.

Caitlan Hall is the recipient of the Donley County Retired School Personnel Association Scholarship for $300.

CHS Salutatorian Carmen Hamilton received the Walter B. Knorpp, Sr., Salutatorian Scholarship from Knorpp Insurance Agency. Mr. Knorpp spent many years promoting quality education as a member and president of the Clarendon School District Board of Trustees and sat on the Clarendon College Board of Regents.  Carmen has also received the Don and Sybil Harrington Honor Scholarship for $1,500, and she has also received the Jacob Dean Smith Memorial Scholarship for $500.  This is a local scholarship given to a band member that must have exhibited good conduct and leadership throughout their high school career and demonstrated a willingness to be involved in extra band activities such as All Region or All State Band, Solo/Ensemble contests and being a band officer.  Carmen also received three scholarships from WTAMU – The Loula Grace Erdman Memorial Scholarship, the WT Tuition Scholarship, and the WT Top 15 Percent Scholarship for a total of $1,940.00 for WT.

Kaitlyn Howard was awarded the Clarendon Rotary Club Scholarship for $250.

Anndria Kidd has been awarded the Homer Estlack Memorial Scholarship to Clarendon College, which is given by the Estlack family in memory of Homer Estlack, who was a graduate of both CHS and Clarendon College.  He was a member and president of the Clarendon school board and was a dedicated supporter of the public school system and its academic and athletic programs. Anndria has also received the following scholarships form Clarendon College: a Drama Department scholarship for $1,000, Endowed Scholarship for $250, Lamar Jackson Walker Scholarship for $350, Book Scholarship for $1,000, Commuter Scholarship for $500, a General Scholarship for $100, the Lamar Jackson Walker and Eula Jackson Scholarship for $350; Development Endowment for $250; and Clarendon College Academic Scholarship for $100.

Samantha Myatt has been awarded the Knorpp Valedictorian Scholarship and the State of Texas Tuition Scholarship for being named valedictorian of her class. Samantha has also been awarded a renewable scholarships with the Sybil B Harrington Scholarship for $3,500 per year and the Koh Family Engineering Scholarship for $10,000 per year of undergraduate work and $20,000 per year up to four years of graduate work.  She has also received a $1,000 scholarship from the Texas Tech College of Engineering and the local ATPE Scholarship for $300.  Samantha also received the scholarship is the Texas Tech Presidential Scholarship for $4000 per year for four years.  Samantha’s last scholarship is the Robert C Byrd Honors Scholarship for $1500 and is renewable up to four consecutive years making the scholarship $6000.

Ryan Petty is the recipient of a $400 FFA Booster Scholarship.

Cody Scrivner is the recipient of the Onita Thomas Memorial Scholarship for $300.  The funds were gathered from donations as a way of remembering Mrs. Thomas and all that she contributed to the Clarendon Community.

Haley Shelton received the Thomas Lynch (Jack) Roach IV Memorial Scholarship.  Jack was a 2000 graduate of CHS. The scholarship is funded through an endowment from Jack’s grandmother; his parents, Tom and Annie; his brother, McCollough; and other family members and friends.  This scholarship is for $500 per semester for two years or $2,000.

Kimberly Tolbert has been given a $200 FFA Booster Scholarship.

Ty White has received the Chuck and Wanda Hill Scholarship for $350.  This scholarship is given by Bob and Cula Jo Trout in memory of Chuck and Wanda Hill.  Ty also received a $500 scholarship to Clarendon College from Herring Bank. Ty’s last scholarship is the Chuck Deyhle Scholarship to Clarendon College for $1,000 per semester for four semesters.

The first ever “Trash To Treasures” Clarendon citywide garage sale slated for Saturday, June 17, now includes the nearby communities of Howardwick, Hedley, and Lelia Lake; and the deadline to sign up is next week.

The Clarendon Enterprise and A Fine Feathered Nest, Inc., have teamed up to sponsor “Trash To Treasures,” the first of what they hope will become an annual event to coincide with Father’s Day weekend.

“Interest is picking up for this event, and we believe it will be very successful,” said publisher Roger Estlack. “People realize that it makes sense to have these garage sales on the same day to draw a bigger crowd.”

Residents who wish to participate in this year’s “Trash To Treasures” are asked to come by the Enterprise before 5 p.m. on Friday, June 9, to sign up for the promotion. For just $20, each household will get 50-word advertisement in the Big-E Classifieds and the exclusive “Trash To Treasures” garage sale kit, which includes tips for holding a successful sale, price stickers, and two yard signs.

In addition, the Enterprise will print a city map the week of the event indicating the location of each sale and will promote the citywide garage sale in area newspapers and with local radio ads.

The two sponsors intend for “Trash To Treasures” to be something that not only will help residents earn more money at their garage and yard sales but will also bring people from out of town to Clarendon to spend the day visiting our neighborhoods and patronizing our local merchants and restaurants.

Local merchants are encouraged to plan special promotions or sidewalk sales to coincide with the event, and advertising space will be made available on the back of the “Trash To Treasures” map. A Fine Feathered Nest’s Chriss Clifford will be visiting local merchants to encourage them join in the event.

Several merchants have already gotten their names down to be involved with the event, which was the brainchild of Clifford and the Enterprise’s Ashlee Estlack.

“Citywide garage sales have proven successful in other communities, and we believe Clarendon can benefit from the same kind of coordinated effort,” the publisher said.

Remember: The deadline for joining the “Trash To Treasures” promotion is Friday, June 9, at 5 p.m.

For more information, call the Enterprise at 874-2259 or come by the office at 105 S. Kearney.

AUSTIN – Donley County’s unemployment rate dropped again in April, according to information released by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The seasonally non-adjusted data shows 1,737 employed out of a workforce of 1,814, putting the local unemployment rate at 4.2 percent.  That’s down from 4.7 percent in March when 1,683 people were employed out of a work force of 1,766.

The actual number of people looking for work fell from 83 in March to 77 in April.

Seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas increased by 4,400 jobs in April and a total of 244,400 jobs over the last 12 months.

Texas employers now have added jobs for 32 of the last 33 months, for a total of 584,400 jobs since July 2003. April’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1 percent is up slightly from March but down from 5.3 percent in April 2005.

Decreasing unemployment rates over the year were widespread, with nearly all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Texas experiencing a decline from April 2005 through April 2006.

“The Texas labor market is still doing well, with the addition of jobs over the month and over the year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “Over-the-year job growth remains broad based, with the addition of jobs in 10 of 11 major industries.”

Total Nonagricultural Employment grew for the 19th consecutive month. All industry groups in the Goods-Producing Sector added jobs while increases and decreases in the Service-Providing Sector offset one another. Annual growth for Total Nonagricultural employment in Texas remained strong at 2.5 percent.

“Business activity remains strong, as Texas employers are experiencing growth in virtually every major industry and every area of the state,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “Annual job growth rates in Professional & Business Services, Financial Activities, and Education & Health Services remain particularly strong over the last twelve months.”

“I am particularly pleased to note that over the last 12 months, 225,100 more Texans have found work,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “While we still have a lot to do, the economic picture continues to improve across the state as more and more workers find employment.”

Initial claims for unemployment compensation in April 2006 were 48,632, down 26.2 percent from April 2005.

Alderman Mark White was sworn in as Clarendon’s new mayor during last Tuesday’s regular city meeting.

The former mayor pro-tem stepped up to preside after Mayor Tex Selvidge presented his resignation part way through the meeting as had previously been announced.

“It’s time for me to ride off into the sunset,” Selvidge said. “Working with y’all has been the biggest enjoyment for me.”

White conducted the meeting as the board accepted Selvidge’s resignation with regret, and each member expressed his or her appreciation for his service.

Alderman Tommy Hill nominated and the board elected Alderman Michael Tibbets as the city’s new mayor pro-tem. Then Tibbets presided briefly as the board nominated and elected White to succeed Selvidge, and White received the oath of office.

A reception for Selvidge will be held this Friday, June 2, at the Burton Memorial Library at 9 a.m.

In other city business, the board conducted a public hearing on property at 719 W. Sixth Street, but there were no comments from the public.

Aldermen White, Hill, and Janice Knorpp took the oath of office prior to Selvidge’s resignation.

Kyle Hill addressed the board concerning water service in the south part of town. He said his new tap is clear but that some of his neighbors have complained of having brown water for over a year. A grant might pay to have those lines replaced.

Roger Estlack addressed the board regarding the West Texas Press Association convention this July and requested funds from the Motel Bed Tax. He said the funds would be used to sponsor a WTPA night at the Sandell Drive-In, and the board voted 4-0-1 in favor of this sponsorship up to $750. Alderman Tibbets abstained.

Laura Paul addressed the board concerning law enforcement and animal control issues. The board advised her to talk with the sheriff about possible criminal activity and said the city will have the animal control officer see about a neglected dog in her neighborhood. She also expressed concern about a dilapidated building, and the city will have the fire marshal check this structure.

The board met in closed session for 12 minutes to discuss a personnel issue but took no action afterward.

The board will consider filling White’s vacant alderman’s position next week.