Archives for December 2010

Facebook and local gossip circles are abuzz with memories from the Mulkey Theatre as plans have been announced for a fundraiser to light up the theatre’s marquee.

As part of the move to bring the theater back, the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and the Bring Back the Mulkey Advisory Committee this week began a fundraising campaign in hopes of raising at least $20,000 to light up the marquee.

All of the money raised from this fundraiser will be put towards the marquee with any overages put towards the continued rehabilitation of the Mulkey in hopes of getting it operational.

The fundraising campaign is just the next step in an overall plan in rehabilitating the Mulkey Theatre and reinvigorating downtown Clarendon.

The Clarendon EDC purchased the Mulkey Theatre in 2008 and to date has spent more than $50,000 replacing the roof, preserving the integrity of the structure, and conducting an engineering study of the building.

“This project is in keeping with the goal of the CEDC to beautify downtown,” CEDC President Steve Hall said. “We hope to once again make it a jewel of Kearney Street.”
Decisions about the interior of the building and possible uses for the theatre are still in the future at this point, CEDC Secretary Roger Estlack said.

“We’ll be looking closely at what has been done with the Ritz in Wellington and the Morley in Borger as we move forward,” Estlack said. “This project is going to take time, and we want to do it right.”

Donors can light up a letter in the Mulkey sign for $1,000 each, become a Mulkey partner for $50 to $1,000, or purchase a “light bulb” at participating business on Kearney Street in Clarendon. The light bulbs will be hung up in businesses downtown showing the donor’s support of this project. Mulkey partners will be recognized permanently inside the theatre.

To make a donation or for more information you may call The Clarendon Enterprise at 806-874-2259 or go by 105 S. Kearney Street in Clarendon. Or make your donation directly by sending a check or money order to the Donley County Historical Commission, PO Box 905, Clarendon, TX 79226, and note “Mulkey Theatre” in the memo.

The Mulkey Theatre was built in 1946 on the site of an earlier theatre – The Cozy – which burned in 1945. It was constructed by Lena Mulkey in honor of her deceased husband, who came to Clarendon to operate a photography studio in 1895 and took over the local theatre business in 1912. The Mulkey operated as a motion picture theatre by Mrs. Mulkey and manager Lee Bell and was later purchased by Gary Barnhill. It closed in about 1986.

Due to the condition of the Mulkey and its role in the history of Clarendon, the CEDC has applied to Preservation Texas for a designation for the theatre as one of the Most Endangered Places in Texas, and a decision on that application is expected in February. The CEDC believes saving the Mulkey is critical because of its cultural and architectural importance to the community.

For more information, visit the EDC’s website www.clarendonedc.org; or to share your comments or memories of the theatre, search for the “Mulkey Theatre” page on Facebook.

They say it’s better to give than receive, and that was true this week as Clarendon College softball players met to wrap Christmas presents for local children.

The softball team bought and wrapped presents for five angels from the Panhandle Community Services Angel Tree this year, and according to Marcia Campbell at PCS, there are still over 60 angels left on the tree.

“We started with 106 angels this year,” Campbell said, “and last year we only had 75.”
PCS is asking for help in providing Christmas for these children.

“Monetary donations are also accepted and are tax deductible,” Campbell said. “We take the donations and shop for the kids left on the tree.”

On Monday, the CC softball team also volunteered their time to wrap Christmas presents for local foster children.

These gifts were bought by the Donley County Child Welfare Board, which currently serves 21 children in care from Donley County.

“Our board works each year to ensure the kids from our county have a wonderful Christmas,” said Ann Huey, CWB president.

The board was able to shop for the gifts with monies raised during their “Kash for Kids” fundraiser this past Fourth of July.

“Without the generosity of those who supported our fundraiser, we would be unable to provide Christmas for these children,” Huey said.

To donate to the PCS Angel Tree project or select an Angel, please stop by the Panhandle Community Services office at 416 S. Kearney Street before December 14. Gifts for Angels need to be dropped off at the PCS office by December 21.

Christmas is described as a time of selflessness and giving.

One local opportunity available to donate for a good cause is to help the Care Net Pregnancy of Donley County purchase an $11,000 sonogram machine by taking your children to get their picture with Santa Claus.

Clarendon High School senior Matthew Williams will take the photographs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the old JAMZ building at Third and Kearney Streets this Saturday, December 11 or next Saturday.

A silent auction at the same time features a beef certificate from 3H Cattle for $250; a free spay or neuter from Clarendon Veterinarian Hospital & Supply; a free computer sweep for $125 from Panhandle CyberMedics; three free haircuts from The Hair Connection; items from Hensons, Every Nook & Cranny, and Sayes: as well as woodcrafts and quilting items.

“We will deeply appreciate any donations we can get,” said Care Net representative Karla Johnson. “This fundraiser will also to help the Clarendon Merchants Association keep shoppers here in Clarendon instead of going out of town to shop for the holidays.”

The Care Net Pregnancy Center is a free, outreach ministry established in 1995 by Billy Graham. According to Johnson, there is variety of things they do.

“We touch anyone’s life,” Johnson said. “We are able to do things that schools and churches are not able to do. We minister to children starting at eight years old to college. We teach them who they are in Christ, abstinence before marriage, and we let them know that God loves them and has a plan for their lives even though everyone makes mistakes.”

The center recently received a house in the country donated by Landon Lambert.

“This will serve as our new facility, like a doctor’s office or clinic,” Johnson said. “Since it is in the country, this help protects the identities of people and (provides) privacy.”

There are many classes and programs that the center will hold. Some of the classes taught by the two nurses on staff are over prenatal care, a five-week child birth class, and newborn care.

“We have a program, called the Benevolence program, where we give free formula, diapers and clothes to needy families’ toddlers,” she said. “We only ask that we have a Bible study when they come through the door. Women who say they take advantage of our program have also said that they gave their lives over to the Lord, and have thanked us for it.”
The center is against abortion and supports life.

“We have counselors to help people who have had an abortion, since one out of four women have had an abortion,” Johnson said. “It facilitates the pain and guilt women feel, and then the love of the Lord and His forgiveness. Those women grieve the child they never held. We are 100 percent against abortion, and we recommend adoption.”

Johnson said one reason they want to purchase the sonogram machine is to prevent abortions.

“About ninety-nine percent of women choose life for their babies when they see the baby’s heartbeat,” she said. “Our main goal is to share the love of Jesus and save lives of the unborn child.”

The center is still looking for committee people and more volunteers they can train.

“We have four openings on our steering committee,” Johnson said. “We’ll be meeting until we open our new facility’s doors. We’ll be doing all the things we need to do before we can open.”

If you are interested in making a donation of money, baby items or items for the silent auction, contact Lori Howard at the Clarendon Family Medical Center or Dr. Guy Ellis at the Clarendon Veterinarian Hospital.

“Most of all we just need prayer,” Johnson said. “We’re asking for prayer and financial support, but most importantly prayer for our staff, our center, and our future clients, men, women and their families.”