Large crowd gathers to celebrate July Fourth

The Courthouse Square was packed with familiar faces and visitors from all over eager to celebrate this year’s 132nd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration on Saturday, July 4.

The celebration started off with the annual Craft Fair on the square. The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 812 plates of barbecue this year, which is up from 750 last year. Funds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Temple of the Shrine in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.

The Old Settlers Reunion was also held that morning. Bernese Rattan Moreland traveled the greatest distance of 500 miles from Lowell, Arkansas, to be there. The oldest woman present was Roberta Pittman at 95; and J.T. Lamberson, 96, earned the right to be called the oldest man present. The oldest pioneer present was Roy Chauveaux at 100, who lived in Donley County for a long period of time before he moved to Armstrong County several years ago. J.T and Helen Lamberson, who have been married for 76 years, were once again named the old settlers that have been married longest.

The Kids’ Parade led the full parade; and winners were Courtlyn and Ashlyn Conkin with Greyson Noble in the 0-4 Division, Kyli Tuttle in the 5-8 Division, and Keely Keebler in the 9-12 Division.

In the Western Parade, the Chamber of Commerce reports that Country Bloomers was named Best of Show, the Donley County 4-H won first place in the float division, and Roger Finch placed second with his “Tow Mater” truck. In the Riding division, the Mule Skinners won first place for the third year in a row.

In the Antique Vehicles division of the parade, Redell Johnston won first with a 1968 Mustang and Sherrol Johnston placed second with a 1966 Mustang. The VFW IH 25 Unit 6 Motorcycle Club won first place in the Miscellaneous division, and Diane’s Tax Service placed second.

Several organizations took advantage of this occasion to hold fundraisers, and the results are as follows. The winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo were Sharron Winfrey; $50, Nichole Shule; $50, and Greg Collins; $250, who gave half of his earnings back to the Lions Club. The Clarendon Firebelle’s Penny Raffle winners were Rhonda Newhouse; $50, Steve Reynolds; $50, and Beth Newman; $100. Jan Farris was the winner of the $500 worth of gas from the Chamber of Commerce.

Laban Tubbs won the John Deere riding lawn mower given by the Friends of Donley County Activity Center that supported Donley County 4-H. Russell Estlack was the winner of the custom commemorative spurs from the Clarendon Masonic Lodge. Doris Homer of Groom was the winner of the St. Mary’s Catholic Women Quilt Drawing.

The Cash for Kids drawing fundraiser raised a total of 10,000, half of which went to the grand prize winner of $5,000, which was Greenbelt Water Authority. Heather King was the winner of the $200 certificate to Edes Meats, Clarendon Veterinarian Hospital won a $200 certificate to WalMart, and Charlie Brown of Amarillo was the winner of a $200 certificate for gas. The community’s support towards this fundraiser was appreciated.

The Henson’s annual Turtle Race was held the day before the Fourth of July celebration on Friday afternoon. There were altogether 200 participants; and the winners were Easton Frausto for the 0-4 division, Samantha Smith of Hall County for the 5-8 division, and Jennifer Sweet of Round Rock for the 9-14 division.
The Turtle Art Contest winner for the 13-16 age division was Cody Wood. The 7-9 age division winner was Colt Wood.